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Emma Willis set to return to TV for the first time since keyhole heart surgery in new BBC series with husband Matt Have YOU got a story? Email [email protected] By CODIE BULLEN FOR MAILONLINE Published: 22:30, 30 April 2025 | Updated: 22:36, 30 April 2025 e-mail View comments Emma Willis is set to return to TV screens for the first time since her secret heart surgery in May. The presenter, 49, who was living with an undiagnosed heart condition, will star in a new BBC One show, Change Your Mind, Change Your Life, centred around mental health with her husband Matt Willis , 41.
The four-part series, understood to have been filmed before Emma's surgery, will see the couple team up with therapists to help navigate life's modern challenges. Speaking about the show, which will air from May 13, the pair said: 'Therapy has played a huge role in both of our lives, not just individually but as a couple too. 'It's given us the tools to understand ourselves and each other better, and we know firsthand how powerful that can be.
'With this documentary series we'll hear from incredible experts and see what really happens in the therapy room, to help break down the stigma and start conversations. Emma Willis is set to return to TV for the first time since her secret heart surgery with her husband Matt The presenter, 49, who was living with an undiagnosed heart condition, will star in a new BBC One show, Change Your Mind, Change Your Life, centred around mental health with her husband, 41 'Asking for help is never a weakness; it's one of the bravest things you can do.' The news comes just days after Emma explained how she was 'blissfully unaware' she had a hole in her heart all of her life.
Sharing the news publicly for the first time, Emma admitted she was shocked to discover what was happening 'in my body'. '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.
..' she told her Instagram followers.
'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.' The medical term for 'hole in the heart' is septal defects – which refers to a hole between two of the heart's chambers. Atrial septal defect is a congenital heart condition that sufferers are born with although the cause is unknown, according to the NHS.
An atrial septal defect (ASD) is where there's a hole between the 2 collecting chambers of the heart (the left and right atria). When there's an ASD, extra blood flows through the defect into the right side of the heart, causing it to stretch and enlarge. The four-part series will see the couple team up with therapists in the UK to help navigate life's modern challenges Read More Emma and Matt Willis put on a loved-up display as they depart BAFTA TV Craft Awards party Children with ASD only show mild symptoms but can be prone to more chest infections and can sometimes cause breathlessness and a heart murmur.
A ventricular septal defect (VSD) is a common form of congenital heart disease. It occurs when there's a hole between the 2 pumping chambers of the heart (the left and right ventricles). This means that extra blood flows through the hole from the left to the right ventricle, due to the pressure difference between them.
The extra blood goes to the lungs, causing high pressure in the lungs and a stretch on the left- sided pumping chamber. Small holes often eventually close by themselves, but larger holes need to be closed using surgery. Former Big Brother host Emma told fans she recently had surgery at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London to treat the condition.
Keyhole heart surgery involves making small incisions in the chest as opposed to the breastbone as in traditional open heart surgery. The surgeon accesses the heart through the incisions, allowing for a less invasive approach with fewer complications and a faster recovery time. In a lengthy post, Emma thanked her husband Matt and the staff at the Royal Brompton Hospital who looked after her.
Emma revealed in an Instagram post on Wednesday that she recently underwent keyhole surgery after living with an undiagnosed heart condition Emma and Matt have been together for more than 20 years and they have three children together - Isabelle, 15, Ace, 13, and Trixie, eight. They tied the knot in 2008 and are approaching their 20th wedding anniversary, but have overcome some struggles over the years, including Matt's drug and alcohol addiction. Former Busted star Matt recently told MailOnline how couple's therapy has helped him and Emma move on from challenges in their decades-long relationship .
They started marriage counselling in 2020 yet Matt admitted Emma was originally reluctant to do it, but is now glad they did because it 'transformed' their marriage. Change Your Mind, Change Your Life with Matt and Emma Willis, will begin Tuesday, May 13 at 10.50pm.
Atrial septal defect: Condition which causes a 'hole in the heart' Atrial septal defect is a congenital heart condition that sufferers are born with although the cause is unknown. The condition usually means that there is a hole in the upper chambers of the heart, which means that the oxygen-rich and the oxygen-poor blood, instead of being kept separate, are allowed to mix and flow from the heart to the body and lungs. Children with ASD only show mild symptoms but can be prone to more chest infections and can sometimes cause breathlessness and a heart murmur.
Some small defects just require close monitoring as they can sometimes close on their own. However, larger holes require surgery to correct the defect, although after surgery, most children do not need further operations, and go on to lead normal healthy lives. If not repaired, the ASD may increase the risk for other problems, including heart failure.
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