World champion athlete Jenny Simpson shared that a rare heart condition led to her experiencing cardiac arrest during a race in June, which has led her to retire from running. In an Instagram update, the 39-year-old disclosed that she had been diagnosed with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a condition that resulted in dangerous heart rhythms leading to her heart stopping. This diagnosis has made it unsafe for her to resume running, marking the end of that chapter in her life.
Simpson was supporting a group of young runners in a mile race in Raleigh, North Carolina, when she collapsed. Prompt CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator were administered before she was swiftly taken to the hospital for further treatment. In her post, she expressed gratitude for being alive and urged well-wishers to focus on celebrating her survival rather than expressing sympathy.
Having dominated the women’s 1,500-meter running scene in the United States from 2007 onwards, Simpson’s illustrious career included winning world championships in 2011, securing two second-place finishes, and claiming a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.