WHEN Emma Gough visited her doctor early last year for a routine appointment, she little suspected an alarming diagnosis would subsequently be made and she would require a major heart operation.

But thankfully, the story has a happy ending because after undergoing the op, the mother of two has made the most of making a full recovery by starting what is now a flourishing dog grooming business.

And Mrs Gough, 32, said he hopes her experience will not only provide a inspiration for others who are similarly affected, but will also encourage those feeling unwell to be checked out and diagnosed.

"Heart disease is a bigger killer than cancer among women so if you suspect you have a problem, please get it checked," she said.

It was in January 2018 when Mrs Gough, who lives at Plantation Bridge, went to see her doctor with what she suspected was a chest infection.

He discovered she had a heart murmur but further investigation found she had a congenital condition whereby a bicuspid valve had caused severe aortic stenosis.

It was a worrying time, but on hearing the diagnosis, her family wisely checked in for screening.

They all proved to be free of the condition, but the prospect of open heart surgery, when the valve would be replaced by a biological valve, lay ahead for Mrs Gough.

Complications during the procedure at Blackpool Victoria Hospital meant a planned six hour op lasted 11 hours, but good news followed, because the operation was a complete success and a trouble free recovery period followed.

But Mrs Gough did not just stop at regaining full health, because when she achieved that goal, she decided to embark on a challenging new career path.

She resolved to enrol in a dog safety and grooming course, and that proved to be a platform to a business success story.

"As soon as I started the course, I knew I'd love it and I was so pleased to eventually pass with distinction," said Mrs Gough.

She and husband Chris constructed a dog grooming cabin in the garden of their home and began a business, Plantation Paws, which has since gone from strength to strength with 56 grateful pooches now on the books for a regular sprucing up and more lined up.

Mrs Gough is now on good health, though her new heart valve will eventually itself need to be replaced, but she stressed the main reason she wanted to tell her story was in the hope that it would not only provide inspiration for others by showing a full recovery can be made even after a major op, but would also encourage those who suspect they may have heart problems to seek out medical checks and screenings.

"The British Heart Foundation are absolutely wonderful work and with the NHS treatment available you are in good hands," she said.