You never really expect a routine doctor’s visit to change your life—but for beloved TV presenter Emma Willis, that’s exactly what happened earlier this year.
What started as a check-up for heart palpitations turned into a serious health wake-up call that led to surgery, reflection, and a whole new outlook on wellness.
A Shocking Discovery After Years of Palpitations
In January, 49-year-old Emma visited the doctor after noticing her heart palpitations were becoming more frequent.
For years, she brushed them off as stress-related—something that came with a busy life, late nights, or the occasional high-pressure moment.
But this time, her doctor spotted something far more serious: a hole in her heart she’d unknowingly lived with her entire life.
“I had no idea,” Emma said during a recent chat on Heart Breakfast with Amanda Holden and Jamie Theakston.
“It was so bizarre… you’re just going about your life and suddenly find out there’s been something going on inside your body all along.”
A Quick Turnaround and a High-Tech Procedure
Once the diagnosis was in, things moved fast. By March, Emma was in surgery at London’s Royal Brompton Hospital to have a soft metal device inserted to close the hole.
It was done via keyhole surgery—through a vein in her groin and straight to her heart.
“It’s like this strange, flat disc,” she explained, “and once they put it through to the heart, it opens on each side of the hole and seals it.
Then your tissue grows over it in a few months.”
Since the surgery, Emma says her palpitations have calmed down.
They might never go away entirely, but the improvement has been reassuring.
An Invisible Recovery and Mental Adjustment
While the operation itself was smooth, Emma admits the emotional and mental aftermath has been tougher.
“It messes with your head a bit,” she told The Sun. “There’s no scar, no wound you can see.
The healing is all happening inside, and it’s strange getting your head around your heart working differently now.”
Emma’s always been honest about her tendency to overthink, and she shared that the lead-up to surgery left her anxious and nervous.
But she’s grateful for the support from her husband Matt Willis, who’s been right there beside her the whole way.
Support From Matt and a Return to TV
Matt, 41, best known from the band Busted, has become Emma’s rock during recovery.
She says he’s helped her manage her nerves through breathing exercises and wellness techniques.
Their close bond is front and center in their new BBC series, Change Your Mind, Change Your Life, which actually finished filming before Emma’s surgery.
The show sees the couple dive into therapy and explore how it’s helped them individually and together—especially as Matt has spoken openly about his past struggles with addiction.
Opening Up to Help Others
For Emma, sharing their story publicly is about encouraging others to open up, too.
“Therapy has been massive for both of us,” she said.
“We’ve learned so much, and we wanted to show that asking for help isn’t weakness—it’s courage.”
In Change Your Mind, Change Your Life, Emma and Matt explore mental health with experts and real people, hoping to break down the stigma that still surrounds therapy and emotional wellness.
Looking Ahead With Gratitude
Now on the other side of surgery and back to work, Emma’s focused on recovery—both inside and out.
She’s grateful to feel better and even more thankful for her family, her health team, and her fans, who’ve rallied with support.
“I wouldn’t change a thing,” she says. “It’s been a wild few months, but I’m lucky.
And more than ever, I know how important it is to look after yourself—not just your body, but your mind too.”