World champion athlete Jenny Simpson shared that a rare heart condition led to her experiencing cardiac arrest during a race in June, announcing her retirement from competitive running. In a recent Instagram post, the 39-year-old Simpson disclosed that she was diagnosed with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a condition that triggered dangerous heart rhythms resulting in her heart stopping.
Due to her diagnosis, Simpson emphasized that it would be unsafe for her to resume running. She expressed gratitude for her journey in running, stating, “That chapter has ended, but thankfully, my story continues.” The incident occurred while Simpson was assisting a group of young runners during a mile race in Raleigh, North Carolina, where she collapsed and required CPR and the use of an automated external defibrillator before being taken to the hospital by emergency medical personnel.
In her post, Simpson addressed the aftermath of the event, encouraging others to express appreciation for her survival rather than sympathy. She reflected on her successful career, highlighting her achievements as America’s leading women’s 1,500-meter runner from 2007 onwards. Simpson notably secured world championship titles, claimed Olympic bronze in Rio in 2016, and achieved additional accolades throughout her career.