Cliff Notes – Emma Willis reveals surgery after finding a hole in her heart
- Emma Willis, 49, recently underwent keyhole heart surgery after being diagnosed with a congenital heart defect, specifically an atrial septal defect (ASD), which she was unaware of for 48 years.
- She expressed gratitude towards the medical staff at Royal Brompton Hospital and highlighted the importance of modern medicine in her Instagram post.
- Willis’s husband, Matt Willis, provided unwavering support throughout her recovery, showcasing their strong partnership during this challenging time.
Emma Willis reveals surgery after finding a ‘hole in her heart’
Emma Willis has revealed she has undergone heart surgery after learning she had a hole in her heart.
The presenter, 49, has revealed that she has recently recovered from keyhole surgery.
‘A few weeks ago, I had keyhole heart surgery, which feels very strange to write, and even stranger when I say it out loud.
‘From investigations last year, to diagnosis and then surgery, they were absolutely incredible. As was Matt Willis who never left my side 💕,’ she wrote in a lengthy post on Instagram.
‘Turns out, I’ve been pottering around for 48 years blissfully unaware I had a hole in my heart 🤯 isn’t it bonkers what’s happening in our bodies that we have no idea about…
‘What blows my mind even more is the wonders of modern medicine, and the spectacular people that save, fix and help us every single day. Can you imagine what it must feel like to have a pair of hands that can do that job?! They are the real superstar… ⭐️’
Emma went on to individually thank the staff members who looked after her in the post, shouting out the Royal Brompton Hospital for their care and support.
What is a ‘hole in the heart’
The medical term for a ‘hole in the heart’ is congenital heart disease, which can refer to a range of possible heart defects, most likely an atrial septal defect.
The British Heart Foundation says: ‘An atrial septal defect (ASD) is a hole in the atrial septum, the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart (atria). It’s a type of congenital heart disease, which means it is something you are born with.
‘An ASD can happen on its own or with other types of congenital heart disease.
‘Some ASDs are very small and may never cause any problems or need treatment. ASDs can be large and need treatment.’
ASD can sometimes cause pulmonary hypertension (increased pressure in the lungs), heart failure, stroke, leaky heart valves, and Eisenmenger syndrome.
Adults with ASD may also have signs and symptoms such as:
Shortness of breath
Not being able to exercise for long
Feeling tired
Irregular or extra heartbeats
Fainting
Lung infections.
She added that her husband didn’t leave her side (Picture: emmawillisofficial/Instagram)
The star emphasised that her husband Matt Willis has been by her side throughout the operation.
Images in the carosel posted by the TV presenter showed the presenting pair cuddled up together, with Emma asleep on her husband’s shoulder.
Another image showed the couple smiling while seated in what appeared to be a hospital room.
The couple has been together since 2004 when they met as she was a presenter on MTV and Matt appeared on the show with his band, Busted.
The couple now helms Netflix’s Love Is Blind UK together.
Emma has spoken frequently about her health, emphasising that she has focused on fitness in the past few years.
‘Probably from when I turned 45, I could feel myself changing and getting older and being more tired. I think as well when you see your parents getting older,’ she told Woman’s Health.
‘That was really a switch in my mentality – when my body suddenly felt mid-40s and tired, (I began) changing things like sleep and giving myself time to do something.
‘Even if that’s something I don’t want to do; I don’t want to go to the gym but I do want to be strong.’
She added that she’d also made dietary changes: ‘I’ve been quite enjoying going sugar-free. I did it at the beginning of the year for about eight weeks and I noticed a massive difference in everything. My sleep patterns were better, I was less bloated all over, less puffy.’