A mother of four from Plainfield, Connecticut, has shared her harrowing experience of surviving a postpartum heart attack just two months after giving birth to premature twins. Ilyana Kokernak, 30, has recounted her terrifying journey and the emotional toll it has taken on her and her family.
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Kokernak welcomed her twins, Frank V and Evelyn, on April 10, 2026, after a challenging pregnancy that concluded at just 29 weeks. The twins faced significant health challenges, with Frank weighing only 2.4 pounds and Evelyn slightly heavier at 2.5 pounds. While she was able to briefly hold Frank shortly after his birth, Evelyn required immediate medical attention and was placed on a breathing machine.
In the midst of dealing with the twins’ hospital stays—Frank remained for 53 days and Evelyn for nearly 60—Kokernak struggled with the emotional weight of leaving the hospital without them. “The first day I left the hospital without them, I didn’t want to be around anybody,” she recalled. “It was just too many people, and none of them were them,” highlighting her feeling of isolation during a time that should have been filled with joy.
When baby Frank finally came home on June 2, Kokernak felt hope for normalcy. However, just days later, on June 5, she began to experience alarming chest pains while driving her daughter, Emma, to the school bus stop. She described feeling increasingly anxious, with symptoms escalating to a gagging sensation and extreme fatigue. Despite her discomfort, she initially suspected dehydration, believing she could shake off the malaise with rest.
Yet, following Evelyn’s return from the hospital a week later, the same symptoms returned, this time prompting her boyfriend Frank Miner IV to suspect something more serious was wrong. After conducting a quick search on the internet, he took her to a walk-in clinic. An electrocardiogram (EKG) revealed signs of a serious heart issue. Kokernak was swiftly transferred to Hartford Hospital, where she was diagnosed with a spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), a rare condition that can unexpectedly affect young women, particularly those who have recently given birth.
Dr. Stephanie Saucier, a cardiologist at Hartford Healthcare, explained that SCAD is distinct from standard heart attacks, as it involves a tear in the artery wall rather than a blockage caused by plaque. The precise causes remain unclear, but hormonal changes and physical stressors during and after pregnancy may contribute to its onset.
During her hospitalisation, Kokernak faced a life-threatening turn: her heart stopped while medical staff were performing an angiogram. “I woke up in the middle of the CPR—I felt all of it,” she recalled. The medical team’s quick response ultimately brought her back, though the experience left a lasting impression on her psyche. “I didn’t want to be taken away from them,” Kokernak expressed, highlighting her deep connection to her children during this life-altering moment.
After undergoing a procedure to place stents in her ailing artery, Kokernak spent a week in hospital. Unfortunately, during this time, she missed significant family events, including her daughters’ birthdays, important school performances, and sports competitions. The emotional weight of these missed milestones compounded her recovery journey.
As of now, Kokernak is home, continuing her recovery while cherishing the moments with her growing twins as they begin to laugh and interact with their surroundings. Reflecting on her ordeal, she expressed profound gratitude: “I feel really grateful to be here.”
As she navigates the challenges of motherhood and recovery, Kokernak’s experience sheds light on the risks associated with postpartum health and the importance of awareness among new parents. Her story is a reminder of the fragility of life and the strength of familial bonds in overcoming adversity.