Emma Willis details her ‘scary’ surgery after doctors found ‘bizarre’ hole in her heart during check-up
As a die-hard fan, I can’t help but share the news that Emma Willis has bravely disclosed her recent heart surgery experience this year. She described it as quite terrifying, which really resonates with me and makes me admire her even more!
In January, the beloved host, who is 49 years old, visited the doctor due to an escalating issue with irregular heartbeats.
After a scan, Emily learned to her surprise that she had been unknowingly living with a hidden hole in her heart throughout her life.
In March, she underwent a procedure called keyhole surgery to repair a hole, which was performed at London’s Royal Brompton Hospital. She chose to announce this news several weeks afterwards on her Instagram account.
Now, Emma has opened up about the surgery during an appearance on Heart Breakfast.

While conversing with Amanda Holden, 54, and Jamie Theakston, 54, the host of The Voice mentioned, “It’s quite unsettling to learn about that heart problem.
Discovering unknown occurrences within your body can be quite peculiar, as you might have experienced.
In January, I discovered something, and by March, I was already part of a procedure where they installed a small gadget to address an area I didn’t even know gave me pleasure. It turns out, I’ve had this sensitive spot my entire life without realizing it.
She commented: “I’ve often experienced heart flutters, which seemed to coincide with events in my life. Therefore, when I was under pressure or after a sleepless night, these palpitations would occur regularly.
For the past couple of years, I’ve noticed an increase in their frequency, reaching a significant amount. Moreover, my doctor has diagnosed me with high cholesterol, leading to a referral to a cardiologist.
Surprisingly, my visit wasn’t about what I had anticipated, and upon arrival, the doctor shared an unexpected revelation: “It appears you’re in good health overall,” he said, “but there seems to be a minor issue with your heart that I’d like to investigate further.
Later on, Emma was questioned regarding the gadget she installed, to which she responded: “It’s essentially a soft metallic one.
It somewhat resembles an unusual sheath on these cables (in the studio). They flatten it completely and insert it into a cannula.


Afterward, they pass through your abdomen, directly to your heart, causing it to protrude from a single opening. Then, they guide it back through the opposite side, closing the opening. For the next three to six months, the tissue develops around it, effectively sealing the area.
Emma happily shared some good news – since her surgery, her heart palpitations have become less frequent. However, she cautiously added that they might not disappear entirely.
Last month, Emma honestly shared her experiences post-surgery, explaining that she felt extremely anxious and jittery during the weeks afterward.
It’s quite confusing when you discover something like that, especially since it’s been part of you your entire life, and you were completely unaware of its existence.
‘I tend to overthink things excessively, causing my mind to wander in countless directions and consider numerous scenarios. As a result, when facing something like surgery, I find myself becoming quite anxious and nervous.’
Regarding her recovery, the 49-year-old explained: “It’s been a relatively straightforward process, but it’s mostly about mental adaptation since there’s no visible scar. The healing is happening internally and it’s hard to sense it.


Understanding that your heart needs to adapt its functioning, which has been consistent for almost fifty years, is becoming a challenge.
Fortunately, Emma found comfort in having her spouse, Matt (aged 41), with her during the entire ordeal. She acknowledged that the musician from Busted had guided her through techniques like breathwork and holistic health practices.
In a first appearance on TV since her surgery last month, she featured in the BBC show titled “Change Your Mind, Change Your Life”.
In this four-part series, it appears that the filming took place prior to her surgery. As a result, Matt and Emma are portrayed as they face and overcome life’s obstacles side by side.
After the former Busted bandmember shared his struggles with addiction, which Emma had also discussed in her interviews, they ultimately chose to make an appearance on the show.
Prior to the airing of the BBC series a month ago, Emma shared: “Therapy has significantly impacted us, not only personally but also as a pair.

Using these tools has greatly improved our ability to comprehend ourselves and others more deeply. We have personally experienced the immense power that comes with this understanding.
As a fervent admirer, I can hardly contain my excitement about this groundbreaking documentary series! It promises to offer unique insights from remarkable professionals, giving us an unprecedented peek into the heart of therapy sessions. By shedding light on the realities behind closed doors, it aims to shatter stereotypes and spark open dialogues – a truly empowering endeavor!
‘Asking for help is never a weakness; it’s one of the bravest things you can do.’
Change Your Mind, Change Your Life, released on BBC and BBC iPlayer last month.
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2025-06-19 19:49