Former England star Jack Wilshere and wife Andriani announced as BHF ambassadors

Former England and Arsenal footballer Jack Wilshere is joining forces with us to raise awareness of heart conditions after his daughter underwent lifesaving surgery.

Jack and his wife Andriani have both been announced as BHF ambassadors after revealing for the first time today that their daughter, Siena, required open heart surgery for a congenital heart defect.

Inspired by Siena’s battle, Jack and Andriani are now determined to raise awareness and money for the lifesaving research we fund.

Serious heart condition

Siena was diagnosed with the defect aged five. It was during a family holiday in Cyprus where a doctor detected a heart murmur and urged the family to bring Siena to see a cardiologist.

Back in the UK, Siena underwent further tests and it was later confirmed she had a hole in her heart.

“We never thought it would be as serious as it was,” said Jack, who now coaches Arsenal under 18s. “After exercise, we noticed Siena would always have a coughing fit. We were told this could be exercise-induced asthma and other than regular colds and chest infections, there were no other signs.

“I was at work preparing to travel with the squad when I got the call from Andriani to explain that Siena had a serious heart condition and would need surgery. I remember just breaking down, thinking where do we go from here. 

“My mind was racing to the worst-case scenario – the first thing that came to my mind was that we might lose her.”

‘Our heart warrior’

Just one month after diagnosis, Siena underwent a successful operation to repair the defect in February 2024. 

Andriani added: “The night before we were a bag of nerves. I remember having this feeling in the pit of my stomach.

“When we went down to the intensive care unit, it was all such a blur. I heard Siena cry and it was then I knew she was going to be OK.”

Siena, now aged six, has recovered well from the surgery and no longer suffers from breathlessness.

“I’ve been through surgery but it’s nothing compared to what Siena has gone through,” said Jack. “We call her our heart warrior. The bravery and strength she’s shown has been incredible, and we are just so proud of her.

“The surgery has made all the difference and she has so much energy now.” 

Raising awareness

After receiving news of Siena’s diagnosis, Jack and Andriani turned to our website to find out more about the condition.

Andriani said: “We didn’t know anything about congenital heart conditions and never thought our daughter would ever require open heart surgery.

“Turning to the BHF made us feel less alone and gave us the answers and support we needed.”

Now, both Jack and Andriani want to use their platform as BHF ambassadors to raise more awareness of congenital heart conditions – and to help the charity fund further lifesaving research.

“We're supporting the British Heart Foundation because without lifesaving research keeping children’s hearts beating, we might not have Siena here with us today,” added Jack.

New challenges

Each day, around 13 babies in the UK are diagnosed with congenital heart disease, with more diagnoses later in life. 

We currently fund around £14 million of research into the causes, diagnosis, and treatment of a broad range of congenital heart defects, working towards improving earlier diagnosis and making congenital heart surgeries safer and more effective.

Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, our Associate Medical Director and consultant cardiologist, said: "With congenital heart disease being the most common birth defect in the UK, our goal is for every child born with a heart condition to live a long and healthy life.

“Over the last 60 years, huge strides have been made thanks to innovation and research in heart surgery and other treatments. Before the BHF existed, the majority of babies born with congenital heart disease died before their first birthday. Now, thanks to research, this has been turned around - with more than eight out of 10 babies surviving to adulthood.

“However, with that success comes new challenges as those living with congenital heart disease are at risk of premature heart failure and life-threatening heart rhythm later in life. That’s why we urgently need to fund science that could lead to research breakthroughs to discover better tests and treatments.

"Having Jack and Andriani as BHF ambassadors and sharing Siena’s inspirational story will help us raise awareness and funds, which could help us save and improve more lives.”

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