Katie Ledecky Opens Up About Health Struggles in New Book

Washington, DC native and Olympic swimmer Katie Ledecky recently made headlines as she returned to the pool, sharing insights from her new book, *Just Add Water: My Swimming Life*. In the book, Ledecky reveals her ongoing battle with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), a condition that affects blood flow and can cause lightheadedness or fainting. Diagnosed in 2015 after experiencing severe symptoms at a team dinner, Ledecky has since learned to manage her health while maintaining her elite athletic performance. In an exclusive interview with *Women's Health*, Ledecky discussed her decision to keep her diagnosis private for nearly a decade. She emphasized that since her diagnosis, she has not faced significant issues, attributing her success to a better understanding of her body’s needs. "When I first received the diagnosis, I was very focused on the numbers—how much I was hydrating and what I was fueling my body with," she explained, noting that her experience has helped her develop a more intuitive approach to her health. As she prepares for her fifth Olympic appearance, Ledecky reflects on the lessons learned throughout her career, particularly the importance of listening to her body. She acknowledges that adapting to her physical needs is crucial, stating, "If I need to take it a little easier on a certain day, that's not the end of the world." Following the Summer Games, Ledecky plans to take a much-needed break to reconnect with family and friends in suburban DC.