World-renowned runner Jenny Simpson shared that a rare heart ailment led to her experiencing cardiac arrest during a race in June and announced her retirement from competitive running. On Instagram, the 39-year-old Simpson 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. Due to this diagnosis, she acknowledged the risks associated with returning to the sport of running.
Simpson stated, “That chapter of my life has concluded, but my journey continues.” The incident occurred while Simpson was assisting a group of young runners during a mile race in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she suddenly collapsed. Immediate CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator were administered at the scene before she was swiftly transported to a hospital for further medical attention.
In a message to her supporters, Simpson expressed her gratitude for being alive and requested not to offer sympathy but to share in her joy for still being present. From 2007 to 2017, Simpson dominated the women’s 1,500-meter running scene in the United States, achieving significant success including winning world championships in 2011, securing two second-place finishes, and earning an Olympic bronze medal in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
