2 weeks Ago By Isabel Shaw
EMMA Willis has revealed she was unknowingly living with a hole in her heart her entire life. "Turns out, I’ve been pottering around for 48 years blissfully unaware I had a hole in my heart," the TV presenter said. 5 5 Emma Willis has revealed she had keyhole heart surgery after doctors discovered a hole in her heart Credit: Rex 5 The TV presenter, 49, shared hospital photos on Instagram after undergoing the procedure Credit: Instagram/@emmawillisofficial "Isn’t it bonkers what’s happening in our bodies that we have no idea about," she added.
The 49-year-old former Big Brother host shared photos from hospital after having keyhole surgery to fix the issue - a type of congenital heart defect she had at birth. Around one in every 100 babies born in the UK is diagnosed with a congenital heart defect – and cases are on the rise. Recent studies show that the prevalence of congenital heart defects in the UK has increased, with cases rising by 16 per cent since the start of the Covid pandemic.
Read more on heart defects RED ALERT The easy-to-miss signs of deadly heart problems NOTHING to do with your chest MEDICAL MIRACLES Brothers born with rare heart defects on the mend after complex surgery Experts believe the increase may be linked to several lockdown-related factors . This includes heightened maternal stress and reduced access to routine care. Many women experienced delays in prenatal appointments and higher levels of anxiety , both of which can impact fetal development.
Disruptions across the healthcare system also meant some heart defects may have gone undetected or untreated during pregnancy. Most read in Health MAN ALIVE! Men's health strategy will urge blokes to 'use NHS properly' to cut early deaths HOTSPOT Inside Scots area plagued with deadly disease 5 times worse than WORLD average HORROR DISCOVERY Teen who suffered ‘appendicitis symptoms’ was actually full of pinworms BUG BEAR Common bug could fuel bowel cancer in the young - experts pinpoint those at risk The easy-to-miss signs of deadly heart problems Congenital heart defects can occur in various forms, but two of the most common types are: Atrial septal defect (ASD): A hole between the top chambers of the heart, which can allow blood to flow incorrectly between the two atria Ventricular septal defect (VSD): A hole between the bottom chambers of the heart, leading to abnormal blood flow between the two ventricles Symptoms of the condition can vary depending on the type of defect, but common signs include: Rapid breathing or difficulty breathing Poor feeding or difficulty gaining weight in infants Cyanosis (a bluish tint to the skin, lips, or nails) Fatigue or tiring easily during physical activity Swelling in the legs , abdomen, or around the eyes Heart murmurs (an abnormal sound heard during a heartbeat) If any of these symptoms are noticed, it's important to seek medical advice for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan. These defects can affect how the heart functions, leading to problems such as reduced oxygen flow to the body.
If left untreated, congenital heart defects can result in complications such as heart failure, high blood pressure in the lungs, and other serious health issues, which can be life-threatening. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent these risks. In some cases, surgery is needed to fix the hole and help the heart work properly.
What is a hole in the heart? A 'hole in the heart' is a common term for a congenital heart defect — a problem with the heart's structure that’s present from birth. There are two main types: ASD (Atrial Septal Defect): A hole between the two upper chambers of the heart. VSD (Ventricular Septal Defect): A hole between the two lower chambers.
Small holes often close on their own and may not cause symptoms. Larger ones can lead to breathlessness, poor feeding, or tiredness in babies and may need surgery. Treatment is usually very successful, and many children go on to live healthy lives.
Source: NHS Emma had keyhole surgery, which means small cuts in the chest instead of opening the breastbone - a method used in traditional open-heart surgery. It’s less invasive than open-heart surgery , comes with fewer risks, and means a quicker recovery. The mum-of-three wrote on Instagram: "A big humungous THANK YOU to the team at the Royal Brompton Hospital for their care and support.
"From investigations last year, to diagnosis and then surgery, they were absolutely incredible. As was @mattjwillis who never left my side". She added "What blows my mind is the wonders of modern medicine , and the spectacular people that save, fix and help us every single day.
5 Emma has been supported by her husband and former Busted star Matt Willis Credit: Instagram/@emmawillisofficial 5 The former Big Brother discovered she had the hole in her heart since she was born Credit: Instagram/@emmawillisofficial "Can you imagine what it must feel like to have a pair of hand that can do that job?! They are the real superstar...
" Giving credit to the medical professionals who helped her in her recovery, Emma added: "A few of those people are Dr Alexander Lyon who investigated like a true super sleuth 🕵️♂️ Professor Wei Li, echocardiogram extraordinaire. Catrina, Carl and Tim who kept me at ease and humoured me when they were putting me to sleep. "Marcus, Janet, Jayne, Hannah and Reem who monitored me at various points.
Paulette, who was always up for a chat, gave great hugs, and loves a cinnamon slice as much as I do! "There was a lovely woman with me in recovery but I was so out of it I can’t remember her name (so so sorry ) and my surgeon, Dr Ee Ling Heng...
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