Television presenter Emma Willis has spoken candidly about the profound shock of discovering she had a serious, undiagnosed heart condition for nearly five decades. The broadcaster, 48, underwent a successful keyhole operation to correct the issue and is now using her platform to champion a major new awareness drive.
A Routine Check Reveals a Hidden Condition
Willis's journey began during a routine health check in January 2025. It was there that doctors discovered she had been living with an atrial septal defect (ASD), a type of hole in the heart that is present from birth. She had been completely unaware of the congenital condition for all of her 48 years.
"The diagnosis came as a total shock," Willis has since reflected. "To be told you have a heart defect you never knew about is incredibly frightening." Just two months after the discovery, she underwent a minimally invasive procedure at the renowned Royal Brompton Hospital in London to close the defect.
Championing the British Heart Foundation's Red Bench Campaign
Now fully recovered, Willis is throwing her support behind a significant new initiative from the British Heart Foundation (BHF). The campaign aims to spotlight the stories of heart disease survivors and underscore the critical need for ongoing research funding.
A central, visual element of the campaign is the unveiling of 65 distinctive red benches across the United Kingdom. Each bench is dedicated to a survivor of cardiovascular disease, serving as a permanent place for reflection and a powerful conversation starter about heart health in communities nationwide.
Using a Personal Story to Drive Public Awareness
By sharing her own deeply personal experience, Willis hopes to encourage others to be proactive about their heart health and to understand that heart conditions can affect anyone, at any age. Her advocacy comes as she prepares for a new role presenting on BBC Radio 2.
"If my story helps just one person get a check-up or supports the vital research that saved me, then it's worth it," she stated. The BHF campaign highlights how crucial public support is for funding the scientific breakthroughs that lead to life-saving treatments and surgeries like the one Willis received.
