Emma Willis Opens Up About Heart Condition and Champions New Health Awareness Campaign

TV Presenter’s Shocking Discovery Highlights Importance of Routine Health Checks

British broadcaster Emma Willis has courageously shared her personal health journey after discovering she was living with a hole in her heart for 48 years, which only became evident after a routine health check last January. The 49-year-old television presenter’s story has become a powerful catalyst for raising awareness about heart conditions, demonstrating that serious health issues can remain undetected for decades.

Medics discovered she had an enlarged heart and a hole between the collecting chambers of the heart called an atrial septal defect. Willis was informed it was a congenital condition, meaning she had unknowingly lived with this heart defect since birth. The hole was closed during a keyhole operation at Royal Brompton Hospital in London two months after diagnosis, and she has since made a successful recovery.

Supporting the British Heart Foundation’s Red Bench Campaign

The 49-year-old is now backing a new campaign by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) to raise awareness of people living with heart conditions. The striking new campaign will see iconic red benches unveiled across the UK, with Emma courageously sharing her experience to inspire open conversations about heart health.

As part of the initiative, Willis met Aimee Nicholls, who has a hole in the heart, and Mrs Nicholls’ son Leo, eight, who also has congenital heart disease. She also connected with Michelle White, who has undergone 13 different heart procedures, highlighting the diverse experiences of those living with cardiovascular conditions.

New Chapter: BBC Radio 2 and Moving Forward

Willis’s advocacy work coincides with an exciting professional milestone. Emma Willis hosts her first regular Saturday afternoon show on BBC Radio 2 this weekend, taking over the 1pm-3pm slot. While admitting to feeling nervous about the new role, Emma remains focused on supporting others facing similar health challenges.

Reflecting on her diagnosis, Willis explained that the mental impact was profound. “The mental shift was the biggest challenge,” she shared, emphasizing how her perspective on life changed dramatically. Her decision to speak publicly about her condition serves as an important reminder that heart disease can affect anyone, regardless of age or apparent fitness, making routine health checks vital for early detection and treatment.