Heart surgery scar 'is who I am', pageant contestant says

Blood tests and an MRI scan revealed that Crystal Pincott had a congenital heart condition

A beauty pageant contestant who underwent open heart surgery has said she will not be covering up her scar, which is "part of her".

Crystal Pincott, 23, from Taunton, Somerset, is competing in this year's Universal Global International pageant in July, just months after her surgery at the Bristol Heart institute on 5 January.

She was diagnosed with a life-limiting heart condition that affects the blood flow to her main organ and causing a hole in the heart.

She said she was "lucky" the condition was picked up, and added: "People keep telling me to put make-up over it or suggest covering the scar with a tattoo, but I don't want to cover it up - it's who I am."

Miss Pincott said she hopes that despite being left with a "big scar", her participation in beauty pageants will encourage others in similar situations to do the same.

She will be heading to Florida in the US next month, where she will compete, having already won the title of Miss Elegance of the World in the UK.

Open heart surgery left Miss Pincott with a scar on her sternum that she describes as a "good conversation starter"

It will be a far cry from a couple of years ago, when blood tests and an MRI scan revealed that she had a heart condition.

Called Sinus venosus Atrial Septal Defect with Partial Anomalous Pulmonary venous Return, the congenital heart condition caused a hole in her heart and enlarged one side of the organ.

Miss Pincott said it was a "very scary time" and, if it had not been diagnosed when it was, she could have "just dropped down at any point and no-one would have known why".

Growing up, Miss Pincott was often out of breath when doing physical activities and was unable to "participate in running" at school.

"Initially, they thought it was asthma but I am actually quite fit as I have horses and eat well, so they thought there was perhaps more to it", she added.

Over the coming weeks, Crystal plans to get back on her horse for the first time since her operation

Miss Pincott began competing in beauty pageants before she was diagnosed and said that since recovering it has made her "want to do it more", despite the scar on her sternum.

"Whether you have scars or not, I think beauty pageants are a brilliant way to get yourself out there," she said.

"You don't have to be a specific type of person, it's honestly something that anyone can do and it's a good confidence boost.

"Surprisingly, beauty pageants are actually about your personality and what you're willing to do."