The American Heart Association (AHA) has issued a statement expressing concern over the depiction of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the recently released sequel to the iconic film "The Devil Wears Prada." In a dramatic scene where fictional publishing house Elais Clark chairman Irv Ravitz collapses, a party guest attempts Hands-Only CPR but fails to call 9-1-1 and performs compressions that are unrealistic and ineffective. The AHA warns that such inaccuracies in popular media can normalize hesitation and confusion in real-life emergencies, potentially costing lives.
According to the AHA, every minute without high-quality CPR reduces a person's chance of survival during sudden cardiac arrest. The organization emphasizes two simple steps: call 911 immediately, and if a teen or adult collapses and is unresponsive, push hard and fast in the center of the chest to the beat of a song with 100-120 beats per minute. The AHA suggests that the song "RUNWAY" by Lady Gaga & Doechii, which appears in the film, is perfect for maintaining the correct rhythm.
"In real life, there is no room for feeling powerless when someone's heart stops," said Stacey E. Rosen, M.D., FAHA, volunteer president of the AHA. "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 AHA's Nation of Lifesavers™ campaign aims to educate the public and encourage immediate action from bystanders. The organization provides resources to learn Hands-Only CPR quickly, including an online video on its website at www.heart.org/CPR or through CPR courses at associated training centers.
A recent study cited by the AHA found that CPR is frequently misrepresented in scripted television, including who receives it and where cardiac arrests occur. Such portrayals can reinforce dangerous myths, such as stopping compressions too soon or performing them incorrectly, making bystanders hesitate in real emergencies.
The AHA 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 organization to provide trustworthy public health information. The AHA is also the largest non-government funder of cardiovascular-related scientific research in the world, with over $6 billion in funding distributed over the last 75 years.
By addressing the inaccuracies in a major film release, the AHA hopes to correct misconceptions and empower viewers to act confidently in cardiac emergencies. The organization's message is clear: accurate CPR knowledge can save lives, and pop culture moments can be leveraged to educate the public effectively.
