The American Heart Association is raising concerns about the portrayal of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in the newly released sequel to "The Devil Wears Prada," warning that such inaccuracies could cost lives in real emergencies. In a scene from the film, a party guest attempts Hands-Only CPR after fictional publishing house chairman Irv Ravitz collapses, but fails to call 9-1-1 and performs unrealistic, ineffective chest compressions.
"In real life, there is no room for feeling powerless when someone's heart stops," said Dr. Stacey E. Rosen, volunteer president of the American Heart Association and executive director of the Katz Institute for Women's Health at Northwell Health. "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."
According to the association, every minute without high-quality CPR reduces a person's chance of survival. When films and television depict CPR inaccurately, it can normalize hesitation and confusion in moments when precision saves lives. The American Heart Association's Nation of Lifesavers campaign aims to educate the public on the two critical steps in a cardiac emergency: calling 911 immediately and performing 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.
The film's inaccuracies have been flagged by critics and fans alike. A recent study found that CPR is frequently misrepresented in scripted television, including who receives it and where cardiac arrests occur. The American Heart Association, identified by the Annenberg Public Policy Center as the most trusted public health information source after personal healthcare providers, stresses the importance of accurate portrayals to reinforce proper response.
"When TV shows and movies misrepresent CPR, they reinforce dangerous myths – from stopping too soon to performing it incorrectly – that can make bystanders hesitate in real emergencies," the association noted. To learn proper Hands-Only CPR, the public can visit www.heart.org/CPR for a simple video or take a course at an American Heart Association training center.
The American Heart Association is a global force for a world of longer, healthier lives, funding more than $6 billion in cardiovascular research over the past 75 years. As Miranda Priestly might say, "That's all."
