World champion runner Jenny Simpson has disclosed that she suffered a cardiac arrest during a race in June due to a rare heart condition, leading to her decision to retire from competitive running. In a recent Instagram post, the 39-year-old athlete shared that she was diagnosed with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a condition that resulted in dangerous heart rhythms causing her heart to stop.
Given the diagnosis, Simpson emphasized the risks associated with returning to running, stating that this chapter of her life has come to a close. Despite this, she expressed gratitude for being able to continue her story beyond her running career.
The incident occurred while Simpson was pacing a group of young runners during a mile race in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she suddenly collapsed. Prompt CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator were crucial in stabilizing her before she was swiftly transported to the hospital for further treatment.
Reflecting on the experience, Simpson urged well-wishers to express their joy at her survival rather than sympathy, emphasizing her own gratitude for being alive. Over the course of her career, spanning from 2007, Simpson achieved significant success as America’s leading women’s 1,500-meter runner, culminating in world championship victories in 2011, two runner-up finishes, and a bronze medal at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016.
