Emma Willis, 49, shares health update as she recovers from major surgery: ‘It’s a head scramble!’
TV presenter Emma Willis has revealed the psychological impact of her recent keyhole heart surgery, describing the experience as a “head scramble”.
The 49-year-old underwent the procedure after doctors discovered a previously undiagnosed heart condition she had lived with her entire life.
Willis was treated at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London, where her husband Matt Willis remained by her side throughout.
She shared the news with fans last month, posting photos on Instagram including one showing her in a hospital bed with wires attached to her chest.
The star admitted she had been “blissfully unaware” of her condition until receiving the “shock diagnosis” just weeks before the operation.
The surgery was performed using minimally invasive techniques, with small incisions made in the chest rather than open-heart surgery.
Speaking to The Sun, Willis opened up about the emotional toll of her diagnosis.
“It’s a bit of a head scramble when you find out something like that, that you’ve had something there your whole life, and you had no idea about it,” she said.
The presenter described herself as a “brilliant overthinker” whose mind goes “in every possible direction and scenario”.
This tendency made the prospect of surgery particularly challenging, with the host sharing: “Going into something like surgery, I really got myself at it, I get really anxious and nervous.”
The discovery of a “hole” in her heart came as a complete surprise to the TV star. Her husband Matt has been supporting her throughout, reportedly coaching her through breath work and wellness techniques during her recovery.
Despite undergoing a significant procedure, Willis revealed that her recovery has been more mental than physical.
“It’s been a smooth recovery, it’s been much more of a psychological adjustment, because you don’t have a wound that you can see,” she explained.
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“The healing is all internal and you can’t feel it. It’s getting your head around the fact that your heart has to learn how to work in a different way to how it’s worked for nearly half a century,” Willis said.
The presenter also shared how she has had to mentally adjust to the reality of her heart functioning in a new way after nearly 50 years.
Willis is now preparing to return to television with a new BBC series alongside her husband Matt.
Change Your Mind, Change Your Life is a four-part programme exploring mental health and modern-day challenges.
The series, which begins airing from May 13, will see the couple delve into real therapy sessions with members of the public.
They will explore various mental health issues with the help of professional therapists.
The show was filmed before Willis underwent her heart surgery.