Gemma Collins says she was rushed to hospital as she feared she was dying.
The Essex girl, 42, has given a health update to her fans following a scare which made her think she was dying of a heart attack.
The Only Way is Essex star Gemma has been battling long Covid having contracted the virus last year and has been struggling with the effects ever since.
It led to her ringing for an ambulance as she thought she was going to die.
"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 the hospital'.
"I said to myself, 'great this is it. My time is up'," she told New magazine.
Gemma's pain turned out to be costochondritis which is inflammation where your ribs join the bone in the middle of your chest.
According to the NHS, it can cause sharp chest pain, especially when moving or breathing.
If anyone thinks they have costochondritis they should call 111 or 999 if they have sudden chest pain that spreads to the arms, back, neck, or jaw, makes your chest feel tight or heavy, started with a shortness of breath, sweating, feeling sick or being sick or lasts more than 15 minutes.
Costochondritis usually gets better on its own, over time. It can last for a few weeks to several months.
"I think I got it from being constantly run down and ill," Gemma explained.
"I do think I've got long Covid because I haven't been able to shift it and it's been in my system for months."
The reality star has been trying ice spa sessions in an effort to "shock her system".
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.
The GC has put to bed any lingering rumours of a split from her fiance Rami Hawash by appearing all smiles alongside her man.
Fans had noticed she unfollowed the entrepreneur on social media just days after she posted an ode to self-love on Valentine's Day.
