Identical twins survive SCAD heart attacks together | Twin resilience

Two Hearts, One Twin Bond: A Shared Fight Against SCAD

In Rathangan, Co. Kildare, identical twins Mairéad Lyons and Thérèse Walsh share more than DNA. They share a rare medical journey: both suffered spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD) in their 30s, within eight months of one another. Their story is a powerful reminder that women’s heart health can present differently, and it often requires quick, informed action from patients and clinicians alike.

What is SCAD and Why It Matters

SCAD is an under-diagnosed emergency where a tear forms in the wall of a coronary artery, causing a sudden reduction in blood flow to the heart. It most commonly affects women and can mimic a typical heart attack, with chest pain, nausea or breathlessness. Dr. Angie Brown, a consultant cardiologist and medical director of the Irish Heart Foundation, emphasizes that recognizing SCAD can be life-saving. Early intervention and tailored care are essential, as SCAD can have lasting effects that differ from atherosclerotic heart disease.

Mairéad’s Near-Death Experience and the Twin Revelation

Autumn 2023 brought a fitness-focused return to work and early-morning gym sessions for Mairéad. A persistent chest pain after a tough set led to ambulance transport and an alarming revelation: she was having a heart attack, with rising troponin levels signaling ongoing damage. During an angiogram, a second SCAD began, and she was awake for much of the procedure—a harrowing experience but a crucial lesson in heart health awareness.

Her endurance and the immediate family support structure helped her navigate a long recovery. Despite a later diagnosis of limited exercise capacity, Mairéad credits her employer, Alltech, with unwavering support that allowed her to return to work in her own terms after roughly 10–11 weeks. She now favors walking and Pilates over high-intensity workouts and continues to monitor her heart with medical guidance. Her story also underscores the emotional toll: the moment she recalled her father’s death and felt the weight of her own vulnerability.

Thérèse’s Health Journey: From Fertility Treatments to a Post-Scad Miracle

Thérèse, who is five minutes younger than her sister, experienced a different SCAD trajectory during fertility treatments in 2024. A wave of nausea and a vague arm sensation led to an urgent ECG and admission to Tallaght University Hospital. There, she learned she had suffered a SCAD with a different pattern—narrowing of the artery rather than a tear—and her right coronary artery was affected. She faced a difficult clinical path, including a decision to forgo further fertility intervention for safety reasons, while grappling with the emotional weight of potential recurrence.

Six months after her heart event, Thérèse discovered she was pregnant—a dream that seemed unlikely just weeks earlier. Her pregnancy was managed as a high-risk case at the Rotunda Private, with careful coordination between cardiac and obstetric care. A planned C-section mitigated the risk of another cardiac event during delivery. A remarkably healthy baby named Jack arrived, and Thérèse has since entered a phase of balance: managing medical anxiety while staying connected to rehabilitation programs that support both physical and psychosocial recovery.

Recovery, Support, and What Comes Next

Both sisters emphasize the importance of accessible support networks for SCAD survivors. Cardiac rehabilitation, psychosocial counseling, and ongoing medical management—including aspirin and beta blockers—are standard components of care. Hormonal therapy is typically avoided, and patients are advised to minimize emotional and physical triggers that could provoke further events.

What makes these sisters’ experiences especially meaningful is their joint resilience. They have become advocates for women’s heart health, urging others to listen to their bodies and seek timely care. Their twins’ siblings have also pursued heart health checks, illustrating the family-wide impact of SCAD awareness.

Practical Takeaways: Reducing Heart-Health Risks

Renowned cardiology guidance from Dr. Brown highlights concrete steps to lower heart risk: regular blood pressure checks, smoking cessation, glucose and cholesterol monitoring, consistent exercise, and a balanced diet. Limiting alcohol, avoiding risky hormonal therapies, and seeking specialized care when young women present with MI-like symptoms are essential messages for both clinicians and the public.

Voices of Resilience: A Message to Women Everywhere

As the twins reflect on their journey, they remain steadfast in their belief that life can be lived fully—carefully, conscientiously, and without fear. Their closing sentiment—“Sure, we’re grand now”—belies a life transformed by SCAD, a bond strengthened by shared experience, and a commitment to empower others through awareness and advocacy.