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Jenny Simpson shares details on recovery from heart condition

CBS News • 2 min read • Latest: Aug 20, 2026, 1:27 PM

Last updated Aug 20, 2026

Jenny Simpson shares details on recovery from heart condition
Summary

Jenny Simpson, an Olympic medalist in the 1500m, provided an update on her recovery after experiencing sudden cardiac arrest at a community running event. Two months after her initial incident, she suffered a second cardiac arrest at a hospital and was subsequently transferred to Duke University Hospital for advanced treatment. Simpson, diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy, requires caution as returning to running could be dangerous. She reflected on her career achievements and expressed gratitude for surviving the ordeal.

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Status Watch
  • •Simpson went into cardiac arrest during a running event in Raleigh, North Carolina.
  • •She was later diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy.
  • •Her heart struggled to pump effectively, causing fluid buildup in her lungs.
  • •Simpson reflected on her successful career and stated she is grateful for a second chance.
  • •She confirmed that returning to competitive running is no longer safe for her.
Latest Updates
  • 6:37 PMCBS News — Olympian Jenny Simpson won't be able to run again after a cardiac event. Here's what she wants to focus on as she recovers. - CBS News
  • 5:10 PMThe Guardian Sport — Former 1500m world champion Jenny Simpson steps away from running after cardiac arrest
  • 5:10 PMYahoo Sports — Former 1500m world champion Jenny Simpson steps away from running after cardiac arrest
  • 2:56 PMYahoo Sports — World champion runner Jenny Simpson forced to retire due to rare heart condition after on-track collapse
  • 2:15 PMYahoo Sports — Jenny Simpson reveals rare heart condition caused her collapse; she will not return to running
  • 3:41 PMYahoo Sports — Olympian Jenny Simpson, 39, Reveals She’ll Never Run Again After Suffering Cardiac Arrest in Race
  • 1:27 PMYahoo Sports — Jenny Simpson shares update on recovery, rare heart condition: 'I fought for my life'
What they're saying
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39-year-old collapsed during event in June American won world title in 2011 Former 1500m world champion Jenny Simpson says she will not return to running after she collapsed during a track event in June. Simpson, a three-time Olympian and one of the most accomplished American female runners in history, was pacing a mile group at an event in North Carolina when she went into cardiac arrest. She was given CPR before she was rushed to hospital, where she was placed on life support due to issues with her heart and lungs. Continue reading...

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World champion runner Jenny Simpson revealed it was a rare heart condition that threw her into cardiac arrest at a race in June and that she will not return to running. In an Instagram post Thursday, the 39-year-old Simpson said she was diagnosed with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a condition that triggered “dangerous heart rhythms that ultimately caused my heart to stop.” Simpson was pacing a group of girls in a mile run at an event in Raleigh, North Carolina, when she collapsed.

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Former 1500m world champion Jenny Simpson says she will not return to running after she collapsed during a track event in June. In an Instagram post on Thursday, the 39-year-old said she was diagnosed with arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a condition that triggered “dangerous heart rhythms that ultimately caused my heart to stop.” Simpson works in an executive role for running company Fleet Feet and says she still feels a strong connection to her sport.

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