The American Heart Association (AHA) has issued a statement criticizing the portrayal of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the recently released sequel to the iconic film "The Devil Wears Prada." In a dramatic scene, fictional publishing house chairman Irv Ravitz collapses from sudden cardiac arrest, and a party guest attempts Hands-Only CPR with unrealistic and ineffective compressions, while no one calls 9-1-1. The AHA warns that such inaccuracies in popular media can have real-life consequences, as they may normalize hesitation and improper response during cardiac emergencies.
According to the AHA, every minute without high-quality CPR reduces a person's chance of survival. Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., volunteer president of the AHA, emphasized that "Hands-only CPR is simple, effective and something anyone can do. You don't need medical training, perfection or permission - just the willingness to act immediately." The two critical steps in a cardiac emergency are to call 9-1-1 immediately and to perform Hands-Only CPR by pushing hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of a song with 100-120 beats per minute, such as "RUNWAY" by Lady Gaga & Doechii, which has 120 BPM.
The AHA's Nation of Lifesavers™ campaign aims to educate the public and encourage immediate action from bystanders. The organization highlights that learning Hands-Only CPR is easy and can be done through an online video on the American Heart Association's website or by taking a course at an AHA-associated training center. More information is available at www.heart.org/CPR.
The AHA notes that when films and television depict CPR inaccurately, they can reinforce dangerous myths, such as stopping too soon or performing compressions incorrectly. A recent study found that CPR is frequently misrepresented in scripted television, including who receives it and where cardiac arrests occur. The Association was recently identified by the Annenberg Public Policy Center as the most trusted public health information source after an individual's personal health care provider, with more than 8 in 10 U.S. adults expressing confidence in the AHA to provide trustworthy information.
As the largest non-government funder of cardiovascular-related scientific research globally, with over $6 billion in funding distributed over the last 75 years, the AHA continues to advocate for proper CPR training and public health awareness. The organization urges everyone to learn Hands-Only CPR and be prepared to act in an emergency, reminding that accurate knowledge can save lives.
