The American Heart Association is calling attention to a critical error in the recently released sequel to the iconic film The Devil Wears Prada, where a character collapses from sudden cardiac arrest and the attempted CPR is depicted inaccurately. In the scene, a party guest attempts Hands-Only CPR on Irv Ravitz, chairman of fictional publishing house Elais Clark, but fails to call 9-1-1 and performs compressions that are unrealistic and ineffective. The Association warns that such portrayals in entertainment can have life-or-death consequences by normalizing hesitation and incorrect technique among viewers.
“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 American Heart Association and executive director of the Katz Institute for Women’s Health at Northwell Health. “I can just hear Miranda Priestly saying, ‘Why was no one ready?’ 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 American Heart Association, every minute without high-quality CPR reduces a person’s chance of survival by up to 10%. The Association's Nation of Lifesavers™ campaign aims to educate the public and encourage immediate action from bystanders. The correct response to a cardiac emergency involves two steps: call 911 immediately, then 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. The sequel's soundtrack includes the song "RUNWAY" by Lady Gaga and Doechii (120 BPM), which the Association suggests as an ideal rhythm for chest compressions.
The misrepresentation of CPR in media is a known issue. A recent study found that CPR is frequently misrepresented in scripted television, including who receives it and where cardiac arrests occur. Such inaccuracies can reinforce dangerous myths, such as stopping compressions too soon or performing them incorrectly, which may cause bystanders to hesitate in real emergencies. The American Heart Association provides resources to learn proper technique, including an online video at www.heart.org/CPR and CPR courses at affiliated training centers.
The Association, identified by the Annenberg Public Policy Center as the most trusted public health information source after an individual's personal healthcare provider, with 82% of U.S. adults expressing confidence in its information, emphasizes that pop culture moments can serve as powerful teaching tools. By correcting the record on CPR, the hope is that fans will be inspired to learn life-saving skills rather than be misled by fictional portrayals.
The American Heart Association is the largest non-government funder of cardiovascular research globally, with over $6 billion in funding distributed over 75 years. As Miranda Priestly might say, “That’s all.” For more information, visit heart.org.
