Hidden symptoms of 'hole in the heart' that thousands have without knowing - as Emma Willis reveals she's undergone surgery for the problem

Daily Mail​

24-04-2025

Emma Willis today shocked fans revealing she had undergone surgery after discovering she had a hole in her heart.
In an Instagram post, the TV presenter, 49, said she had recently had 'keyhole heart surgery' at the Royal Brompton Hospital in London.
But the former Big Brother host only received her diagnosis last year and had 'been pottering around' since birth 'blissfully unaware' she had the condition.
'A big humungous THANK YOU to the team at the Royal Brompton Hospital for their care and support,' she said.
'A few weeks ago, I had keyhole heart surgery, which feels very strange to write, and even stranger when I say it out loud.
'From investigations last year, to diagnosis and then surgery, they were absolutely incredible. As was @mattjwillis who never left my side.
'Turns out, I've been pottering around for 48 years blissfully unaware I had a hole in my heart. Isn't it bonkers what's happening in our bodies that we have no idea about.'
A hole in the heart, known medically as atrial septal defect (ASD), is a hole in the atrial septum — the wall between the two upper chambers of the heart.
This means that the oxygen-rich and the oxygen-poor blood, instead of being kept separate, are allowed to mix and flow from the heart to the body and lungs.
Here MailOnline reveals everything you need to know about the condition.
ASD is a type of congenital heart disease, meaning it is a condition people are born with.
Yet, there are usually no signs of ASD at birth.
Often the only indicator is an extra, unusual sound in the heartbeat — a murmur — which is caused by the swishing sound of increased blood flow to the lungs.
Children with ASD only show mild symptoms but can be prone to more chest infections and can sometimes cause breathlessness — especially when exercising.
Other hidden signs include being very tired, being underweight and arrhythmias — irregular heartbeats.
In adults symptoms often include shortness of breath. not being able to exercise for long, feeling tired, irregular or extra heart beats, fainting and lung infections.
According to the British Heart Foundation, there is currently no medication that will make the ASD smaller or close any faster than it naturally can.
ASDs can only be fixed through procedures on the heart.
'Some ASDs are very small and may never cause any problems or need treatment. ASDs can be large and need treatment,' they add.
But without treatment, they can cause pulmonary hypertension — increased pressure in the lungs — heart failure, stroke and leaky heart valves, the charity warns.
Some small defects just require close monitoring as they can sometimes close on their own.
However, larger holes require surgery to correct the defect, although after surgery, most children do not need further operations, and go on to lead normal healthy lives.
Keyhole heart surgery involves making small incisions in the chest as opposed to the breastbone as in traditonal open heart surgery.
The surgeon accesses the heart through the incisions, allowing for a less invasive approach with fewer complications and a faster recovery time.
Around 13 babies in the are born each day with a congenital heart defect in the UK and sixty years ago the vast majority would not survive to see their first birthday.
Thanks to research, more than eight out of 10 babies born with a heart defect will live to see adulthood.
In a lengthy Instagram post, Emma thanked her husband Matt and the staff at the Royal Brompton Hospital who looked after her.
She added: 'What blows my mind even more is the wonders of modern medicine, and the spectacular people that save, fix and help us every single day.
'A few of those people are Dr Alexander Lyon who investigated like a true super sleuth Professor Wei Li, echocardiogram extraordinaire.
'Catrina, Carl and Tim who kept me at ease and humoured me when they were putting me to sleep.
'Marcus, Janet, Jayne, Hannah and Reem who monitored me at various points.
'Paulette, who was always up for a chat, gave great hugs, and loves a cinnamon slice as much as I do!
'There was a lovely woman with me in recovery but I was so out of it I can't remember her name (so so sorry) and my surgeon, Dr Ee Ling Heng… She was recommended as 'a spectacular pair of hands', but my god, shes that and so much more.
'She has an ease and warmth that made me feel instantly comfortable all whilst being incredible professional and informative. I ask a million questions, and she answered them with the patience of a saint.'