Television presenter Emma Willis has spoken candidly about the moment she was diagnosed with a serious heart condition, a revelation that came as a complete shock after nearly five decades of unknowingly living with the defect.
A Life-Changing Diagnosis
The 49-year-old star, who is preparing to host BBC Radio 2's Saturday lunchtime show, learnt of her condition last January during a routine medical examination. Doctors discovered she had an enlarged heart and an atrial septal defect – a hole between the heart's collecting chambers she was born with.
"I was floored," Willis explained. "I had gone 48 years oblivious, not knowing anything was wrong. It was a bolt out of the blue... The mental shift was the biggest challenge, because when you hear those words, it terrifies you." The congenital condition was sealed via keyhole surgery at London's Royal Brompton Hospital just two months after diagnosis.
Championing Awareness with the British Heart Foundation
Willis is now supporting a major new campaign by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to boost awareness among people living with cardiac conditions. As part of this, she met other individuals affected, including Aimee Nicholls and her eight-year-old son Leo, who both live with congenital heart disease.
Mrs Nicholls, 32 from Bristol, underwent keyhole surgery aged four. A scan during her pregnancy revealed her son would also have a heart condition. Leo was born in November 2017 with multiple defects and required open heart surgery at just one week old. "When we were told about Leo's conditions, our world collapsed," she shared.
Red Benches and Real Stories of Survival
The BHF is marking its 65th anniversary by installing 65 iconic red benches across the UK, each bearing the name and story of a heart disease survivor. Willis also spoke with Michelle White, 48 from Manchester, who lives with a defective heart valve, has endured two open-heart surgeries, a pacemaker fitting, and multiple strokes.
"I won't let fear define me," stated Mrs White. "I'm taking things step by step, staying positive, and I feel I'm at a new chapter where I can focus on what truly matters most."
Dr Charmaine Griffiths, chief executive of the BHF, expressed gratitude to Emma, Aimee, Leo, and Michelle for sharing their stories. "Their stories send a powerful message that cardiovascular disease can affect anyone," she said, calling for donations to fund life-saving research. The campaign aims to change perceptions and create spaces for conversation about heart health.
