On the Pulse | From Reel to Real: What Can We Learn from Hollywood Heart Attacks?

A Series of Physician Speakers
May 21, 2025
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05/21/2025 12:00
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Until On the Pulse | From Reel to Real: What Can We Learn from Hollywood Heart Attacks? Begins

Event Details:

Join us for our series of free, virtual presentations from physician leaders in research and care at the Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation® (MHIF) and the Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute® (AHMHI) who will address the latest in cardiovascular treatment and advancements.

Hollywood loves a good heart attack scene—chest clutching, dramatic collapses, and instant death. But how accurate are these portrayals? In this talk, we will unpack the myths and misconceptions perpetuated by film, revealing how heart attacks really happen, who is most at risk, and what can be done to survive one. By contrasting cinematic drama with medical reality, this session will not only entertain but will also empower the audience by sharing actionable lifesaving knowledge.

Join this On the Pulse session to learn more about:
- How Hollywood's overdramatized heart attack scenes misrepresent the true warning signs, symptoms, and real-life experience of a heart attack.
- The stark differences between those who suffer heart attacks on screen versus in real life, and why recognizing heart disease risk beyond the Hollywood stereotype can save lives.
- Challenging the fatalistic narrative of cinematic heart attacks by understanding the reality: most heart attack victims have time to seek life-saving treatment and the majority of heart attacks are survivable. 

Meet our Presenter:
Kirsten Shaw, MD

Kirsten Shaw, MD

Chief Cardiology Fellow | Hennepin Healthcare/Allina Health Minneapolis Heart Institute

Dr. Kirsten Shaw is a Chief Cardiology Fellow at the Hennepin Healthcare/Minneapolis Heart Institute Cardiovascular Disease Fellowship Program. She completed her residency and chief resident year at Abbott Northwestern Hospital.

Dr. Shaw’s research interests include the intersection of public health and popular media. Through various public health initiatives, she has been featured on platforms such as Good Morning America, Some Good News with John Krasinski, NBC Nightly News with Lester Holt, and a Google commercial. These experiences have driven her to explore how popular media can influence public health. Her recent publication investigating the portrayal of heart attacks in film was published in the Journal of the American Heart Association.

Questions?

Please contact us: email education@mhif.org or call 612-863-3625
 

Interested in viewing our past On the Pulse webinars?

Click here to view the recordings

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The Minneapolis Heart Institute Foundation® (MHIF) strives to create a world without heart and vascular disease. To achieve this bold vision, we are dedicated to improving the cardiovascular health of individuals and communities through innovative research and education.

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