A Bermuda Idol winner who was rushed to the US for life-saving surgery has developed a rare heart condition, The Royal Gazette can reveal.

Latosha Codrington had a heart attack last month, and later developed a blood clot in an artery.

She was taken by air ambulance to the Lahey Hospital in Boston where she underwent emergency surgery.

But Ms Codrington revealed that she had been diagnosed with SCAD – spontaneous coronary artery dissection – a rare medical condition where a blood vessel in the heart is torn.

She said last night her recovery would be long and hard.

Ms Codrington, who won the Bermuda Idol singing contest in 2013, said: “I would firstly like to thank God for sparing my life.

“I'm also grateful to my mama and sister, family, churches of all denominations and friends both local and abroad for their prayers, calls and donations for my expenses.

“Although the immediate danger is over, I have a long road to recovery and remain under my doctor’s close watch.

“They were able to dissolve the blood clot but found that I suffer from a rare heart condition which cannot be rectified with surgery.”

The unemployed mother of three, 37, who sings at church services and other functions and often gives free performances, is now back in Bermuda recovering.

A fund to cover her medical expenses has so far raised more than $65,000.

Ms Codrington’s mother, Lavinia, said: “It's been a trying time for all of us, especially the children.

I'd like to personally thank my daughter, Latosha's sister LaVida, for taking the reins and navigating everything in order for Latosha to travel, Keisha Hill for accompanying Latosha to Boston, her cousin Shalleya Codrington for starting the GoFundMe page and assisting LaVida and my sisters, who surrounded and consoled me in the beginning stages of this life changing event.

“We ask that you keep us all in your prayers as we begin this chapter to recovery.”