TCS NYC Marathon: Woman Overcomes Atrial Fibrillation Diagnosis to Run the Race for the First Time

NEW YORK (WABC) — Jessie Malone’s heart will not be in doubt when she lines up for the 2024 TCS New York City Marathon.

Malone, who is competing for the first time, experienced a very scary moment after developing atrial fibrillation just a year ago.

I was just riding my bike from my friend’s house to my apartment, which is what I do all the time,” Malone recalls. “And my watch showed that my resting heart rate was over 160. So I’m like, this is so weird. I’ve never seen anything like this before. So I drove about 20 more blocks, and then there was this blaring, “You have atrial fibrillation.”

Malone had an extremely rare and highly irregular heartbeat. Doctors prescribed her a medicine designed to completely stop her heart.

“I was at risk of either a stroke or cardiac arrest,” she added.

Doctors at Mount Sinai told Eyewitness News that this is not the first time they have encountered a situation like Malone’s.

“We have seen a significant number of patients come in after self-diagnosing atrial fibrillation,” the doctors said. “About a third of patients with atrial fibrillation have no symptoms, at least initially. So these devices (Apple Watches) brought them to medical care much earlier.”

The frightening ordeal forced Malone to make lifestyle changes, including losing 100 pounds and focusing on sleep, nutrition and running.

“Everything that happened just added up and snowballed,” Malone said. “I will never be in this position again if, if I have anything to do with it. So I just completely changed my life.”

A life change brought Malone to the marathon exactly one year after leaving the hospital.

Malone will work with the American Heart Association team in New York to raise money and awareness for heart health.

The 2024 TCS New York City Marathon will take place on Sunday, November 3rd. Broadcast on Channel 7 and wherever you stream ABC 7 in New York City, it begins with our Marathon Sunday pre-race show at 7:00. The live broadcast of the marathon starts at 7:00. At 8:00 only on Channel 7 and ESPN2.

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