Amy Winehouse 'Illness much worse than family claim'

DESPERATELY ill Amy Winehouse is suffering from drug- induced HEART PROBLEMS, the News of the World can reveal.

Her family and managers-who say she has lung condition emphysema -actually fear she will die from coronary failure, as the true extent of her ailing health is hushed up.

BLAMED: Hubby Blake

Insiders claim the chart-topping singer, 24, has had two serious near misses- suffering terrifying heart attack-like symptoms, including chest pains, breathlessness, numbness and confusion.

Last month when she had a fit and was hospitalised her dad Mitch announced she had emphysema. But a source told us: "We were terrified she'd had a heart attack.

"Her pulse was barely there and she was struggling to breathe and complaining of chest pains. It was awful.

"She got Mitch to take her to hospital because she didn't want a fuss but it was really serious. Far more serious than she's made out since then.

"Amy is far more at risk from drug-induced heart failure than emphysema."

Two days ago Amy was acting like everything was fine as she belted out hits at a pub gig in Camden, North London.

But photos reveal worrying fresh scratches on her heavily scarred arms.

Amy's Dad, Mitch

Last night News of the World GP Dr Hilary Jones said it was "very likely" drug-addict Amy had damaged her heart.

He explained: "Crack cocaine is a stimulant. It can send the heart haywire, leading to irregular beats, palpitations, breathlessness, chest pains-all the symptoms of a heart attack.

"It could be very dramatic and frightening for Amy. She would also be very breathless and have water on the lungs as a result, which might suggest a lung complaint like emphysema.

"But emphysema is more common in people over 50. She's way too young to have damaged her lungs to that extent, and the fact she can still sing amazingly suggests they aren't badly damaged.

"It's more likely her breathing problems are a side-affect of having damaged her heart by taking drugs."

Yesterday Mitch said his chain-smoking daughter had a "small amount" of emphysema in her lungs and warned even one cigarette would damage her.

He told Sky News: "I want people to understand even if they give her one cigarette they're causing her harm. She has got a serious health problem.

"My biggest fear is that she would die, and she won't die from an overdose-she will die from emphysema. We would be talking about a very slow and painful death, gasping for air."

And he broke his truce with the family of Amy's husband Blake Fielder- Civil, 24, who is in jail awaiting sentence for GBH and perverting the course of justice.

Mitch, 57, blamed Blake for introducing her to hard drugs, adding: "Everyone knows that-apart from Blake's mum and dad."

Last night Blake's mother Georgette Civil hit back and told News of the World: "Blake saved her life when Amy had a fit last August. He then had the good sense to call an ambulance.

"They said she had a heart problem then and had a seizure brought on by drugs.

Blake has never mentioned to me that Amy has emphysema. What I think she has is a heart problem and it is all tragically drug-related."

Georgette went on: "It's a real shame Mitch isn't going to stop blaming Blake for Amy's drug problems. It makes me mad.

"Amy has done more drugs and had affairs while Blake has been in prison. Why don't they ever stop blaming Blake?"

Meanwhile Mitch said Amy would play five contractual gigs, with the last one on September 6, before relaxing and getting her strength back.

He also admitted he would give Blake a second chance when he is released. Mitch said: "I don't think he's clean now but he'll go straight to rehab when he gets out.

"He has promised me that he will make things right when he gets out. We will give him the benefit of the doubt.

"It's the last-chance saloon if he comes out and they go back to doing what they were doing before.

"He's a fit young man and could probably go on like that for years-but Amy can't and she needs to understand that."