In the film “Something’s Gotta Give” from 2003, a scene depicts Jack Nicholson’s character suffering a heart attack with classic Hollywood dramatics. A recent study reveals that mainstream cinema often misrepresents heart attacks, primarily showing white men as victims clutching their chests and collapsing, while neglecting diverse demographics and subtle symptoms. The research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association suggests that this skewed portrayal perpetuates misconceptions about heart attacks, particularly among women and underrepresented groups who do not see themselves reflected in these depictions.
Dr. Kirsten Shaw, the study’s lead author, emphasizes how popular media shapes public understanding of health issues, highlighting the importance of accurate representation to combat the misconception that cardiovascular disease only affects men. Despite heart disease being the leading cause of death for women in the U.S., awareness levels, especially among Black women, remain low, with many unaware of heart attack symptoms. The study was inspired by declining awareness among women, prompting a closer look at how heart attacks are depicted in movies.
The study focused on heart attacks in 172 top-ranked U.S. and international films from 1932 to 2022, revealing a disproportionate representation of men experiencing heart attacks on screen compared to women. The most commonly shown signs, such as collapsing and losing consciousness, are not typical symptoms of a heart attack. Instances of chest pain, a prevalent symptom in both men and women during heart attacks, were depicted in only half of the women and two-thirds of the men in the analyzed scenes.
Real-life heart attack symptoms can be more nuanced, especially for women, who may experience discomfort in various areas such as the chest, arms, back, jaw, neck, or stomach. Subtle symptoms like jaw pain or shoulder pain, commonly overlooked in Hollywood portrayals, are crucial indicators of a heart attack. The study’s authors suggest that the film industry tends to overdramatize heart attack symptoms, often favoring sensationalized depictions over accurate representations of the experience.
One notable exception cited in the study was a TV show episode of “Grey’s Anatomy,” where a Black female character experiences a heart attack displaying atypical symptoms like nausea and heartburn. The episode, praised for its accurate portrayal, demonstrated the stark contrast between cinematic representations and real-life heart attack experiences. Dr. Ruchi Kapoor, a cardiologist not involved in the study, highlighted how popular media perpetuates misconceptions about heart attacks, often blurring the distinction between a heart attack and cardiac arrest.
By debunking myths and promoting accurate portrayals of heart attacks, the study underscores the critical role of media in shaping public perception of health issues. Ensuring diverse and realistic representations in films and TV shows can help raise awareness and empower individuals, especially women and underrepresented groups, to recognize and respond to heart attack symptoms effectively.