Olympian Jenny Simpson Says Her Running Career Is Over After Cardiac Arrest
Three-time U.S. Olympian Jenny Simpson has announced her retirement from professional running following a life-threatening cardiac arrest caused by a rare heart condition. She is now focusing on her recovery and managing her diagnosis of Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy.
Why it matters
The story sheds light on the risks of undiagnosed heart conditions in high-performance athletes and the importance of immediate emergency response protocols.
Jenny Simpson has spent the past two months recovering from a medical emergency that nearly took her life. Now, she says she finally feels ready to explain what happened and what comes next.The three-time U.S. Olympian shared an extensive update on Instagram, revealing that she was diagnosed with a rare inherited heart condition after going into sudden cardiac arrest following a track event in June.“It took me time to find the words and be ready to share this update,” Simpson wrote. “Thank you for your continued love, patience, prayers, and concern as I recover and return to work and public life.”At just 39, Simpson collapsed after pacing runners at the Sir Walter Running Pop-Up Mile in Raleigh, North Carolina. CPR was performed immediately, with an AED used until emergency medical personnel showed up.Her condition worsened after she reached the hospital.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in