UPDATE [Friday]: Hall County Fire Sgt. Jonathan Barton remains in the hospital, but his condition is improving, according to an update from Hall County Fire Services.
Around lunchtime, he was able to be removed from an Impella pump, meaning his heart does not need the assistance. The removal was successful and didn’t lead to any additional bleeding or instability, the update said.
“(His family is) reporting that Jonathan has the possibility of a full cardiac recovery with no left ventricle damage,” the post said, adding that he’s also able to breathe some on his own.
The GoFundMe page that’s raising money for his medical costs had raised more than $13,400 as of Friday afternoon.
ORIGINAL STORY: A Hall County firefighter remains in the hospital after going into cardiac arrest during on-the-job training Tuesday, authorities said.
Fire Sgt. Jonathan Barton was participating in physical training and conditioning with a recruit class at the Hall County Fire Services Training Center when he went into cardiac arrest, the fire department said in a Facebook post.
He was taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center, where doctors performed a cardiac catheterization, also known as a heart cath, to examine the firefighter's heart. Doctors used an Impella pump to assist with his heart functions.
At multiple points, he went through episodes of ventricular tachycardia, which is when a heart beats abnormally fast, preventing proper blood and oxygen flow to the body, according to the Mayo Clinic.
His wife told the fire department that Barton attempted to speak overnight, and that he is recovering. A GoFundMe page created for the family said the cardiac arrest was prompted by a blocked main artery.
“We appreciate your continued prayers for Jonathan and his family,” the fire department said in the post.
The GoFundMe page said Barton and his wife have two young children.
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