Gemma Collins says she mistook long Covid for a heart attack, prompting her to call an ambulance.
The Diva Forever star, 42, caught the virus last year and has been suffering from its side effects ever since.
Speaking about a terrifying ordeal last month when she was struggling with chest pain, she said: “The palpitations got so bad I thought I was having a heart attack. I called an ambulance and the paramedics did an ECG [electrocardiogram] and said, ‘We need to take you to hospital.’
“I said to myself, ‘Great, this is it. My time is up.’ But, thank God, it was a condition called costochondritis, which can cause severe chest pain and happens because of coughing or an infection."
Gemma reckons she has long Covid because she 'hasn't been able to shift it', adding she thinks she got it from being "constantly run down and ill", reports OK! magazine.
To try and alleviate some of the symptoms, the TOWIE star has been trying out ice cryo spa sessions, which she recently posted about on Instagram.
The thermal shock machine goes from a temperature of +70C to -196C in seconds and is said to promote health and well-being while boosting the immune system.
Gemma's health recently impacted her work when she was forced to complete filming for her More Than Daffs And Taffs show in South Wales in a barn in Epping because of her ongoing chest infection.
Despite this, the GC said she had a wonderful time in the country and praised the people for being so welcoming.
Explaining her nan Mildred was Welsh, she admits she's never happier than being out in the country, away from “toxic people and toxic environments”.
Fans feared for the bubbly blonde recently after Gemma unfollowed her boyfriend Rami Hawash on Instagram.
The former TOWIE star no longer follows her beau on Instagram – and appears to have had a clear out as she now only follows 10 accounts on her page.
Among the 10 accounts Gemma still follows are DJ Fat Tony, who played at her birthday party earlier this year, Sephora UK, after she attended the store's launch event, and New Look, which she has a clothing line with.
Rami still follows the reality star on his Instagram account.
Gemma's representative declined to comment when contacted by the Mirror.
However, a source explained the GC has has "unfollowed everyone Adele style" and branded split claims "nonsense".
