Jenny Simpson, world champion runner, has disclosed that a rare heart condition led to her cardiac arrest during a race in June, and she has confirmed that she will not be returning to competitive running.
In an Instagram post on Thursday, the 39-year-old athlete stated that she was diagnosed with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), which resulted in "dangerous heart rhythms that ultimately caused my heart to stop."
She mentioned that the diagnosis means that going back to running could be hazardous. “That chapter has ended. Thankfully, my story hasn't.”
What is ARVC?
Arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC) is a rare condition that poses a significant risk of life-threatening abnormal heart rhythms, Cleveland Clinic reported. The majority of individuals affected by this disorder possess a genetic variation. Timely diagnosis and intervention are crucial, allowing your healthcare provider to assist you in preventing irregular heart rhythms through medications and procedures.
ARVC affects approximately 1 in every 2,000 to 1 in every 5,000 individuals. While it frequently occurs within families, it can also manifest in individuals without any family history of the condition.
{{/usCountry}}ARVC affects approximately 1 in every 2,000 to 1 in every 5,000 individuals. While it frequently occurs within families, it can also manifest in individuals without any family history of the condition.
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Jenny Simpson fainted, administered CPR on the track
Simpson fainted while walking among a group of girls during a mile run at an event in Raleigh, North Carolina. She was administered CPR on the track, and an automated external defibrillator was utilized before medical staff transported her to the hospital.
The Sir Walter Running Team released a statement on Instagram soon after Simpson's collapse, thanking the medical personnel for their prompt response at the event.
"We are incredibly grateful to the individuals who responded immediately, as well as EMS and the medical professionals who handled the situation with such care, urgency, and professionalism," the statement said.
“Jenny is receiving excellent medical care, and our thoughts are with her and her family during this time,” it added.
'I'm still here,' says Jenny Simpson
Contemplating her emotions following the troubling event, Simpson said: "You might be wondering what would be the right thing to say to me after an event like this. Please do not say that you're sorry or that you feel bad for me. If it is true in your heart, please tell me you're glad that I'm here. That's how I feel — so glad that I'm still here."
For nearly ten years beginning in 2007, Simpson was recognized as the most accomplished female 1,500-meter runner in the United States. She secured the world championship title in 2011, achieved second place at the world championships on two occasions, and earned a bronze medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016.