Jimmie stayed in
the game
College football referee Jimmie Burks got a surprise at his yearly
sports physical. The doctor heard an abnormal heartbeat and
ordered an EKG.
“I had no idea that I had any heart issues,” said Jimmie. “And
as a football referee, I need to keep moving.” As a 54 year-old
single dad, he also needs to keep up with his daughter, who plays
basketball in middle school.
Dr. Amit Thosani diagnosed Jimmie with atrial fi brillation, a type
of irregular heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmia) that could increase
his risk of heart failure or stroke.
At Allegheny General Hospital, Jimmie had a cardioversion
procedure, a precise electric shock to reset his heart beat. But
the arrhythmia returned. Dr. Thosani then used zero-fl uoroscopy
ablation, delivering carefully targeted, energy pulses, to quiet the
heart’s rhythm. With 3-D mapping and real-time visuals,
the team could minimize Jimmie’s exposure to potentially
dangerous X-rays.
“I’m thankful they could fi x my heart,” said Jimmie. “Now I can
be there for my job and for my daughter. I’m all she has. I’m
very happy to know I’ll be with her, on and off the
basketball court.”
5.3
MILLION
APPROXIMATE NUMBER OF
AMERICANS THAT HAVE
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION.*
1
#
“I’m so grateful
to be here.”
JIMMIE BURKS, CARDIAC PATIENT
CAUSE OF DEATH
IN THE U.S. IS
HEART DISEASE**
*https://www.acc.org/latest-in-cardiology/ten-points-to-
remember/2019/02/15/14/39/aha-2019-heart-disease-and-stroke-statistics
**heart.org/en/news/2019/01/31/cardiovascular-diseases-a_ ect-nearlyhalf-
of-american-adults-statistics-show