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Woman Makes Speech During Brother’s Wedding, Then Her Heart Stops

Woman Makes Speech During Brother’s Wedding, Then Her Heart Stops

Summary

Amanda Simonsen, a 30-year-old California mother, collapsed while giving a speech at her brother’s wedding after experiencing ventricular tachycardia. She had survived cardiac arrest earlier in 2026 and has an implanted defibrillator; after the wedding episode, she was evaluated at a hospital and discharged the next day.

Key Facts

  • Simonsen suffered cardiac arrest at home on February 13, 2026, while caring for her 4-month-old son.
  • Her husband found her unresponsive and performed CPR until first responders arrived.
  • She spent two weeks in hospital and was diagnosed with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation and nonischemic cardiomyopathy.
  • Doctors fitted Simonsen with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, which monitors heart rhythms and can deliver electrical therapy.
  • At her brother Austin’s wedding reception, Simonsen became dizzy while giving a speech, lost consciousness, and hit her head.
  • She said the wedding incident was her fifth cardiac event since her initial arrest.
  • Simonsen went to hospital for a CT scan to check her head injury, stayed overnight, and was discharged the following day.
  • She asked the best man to finish delivering her speech.
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