The spokesperson for HeartHero said the device is very real, but it may take till fall 2020 (or longer) before it’s available in the marketplace because of the all the approvals that have to take place. Since I’m not a doctor (and never even played one on television) here’s information from Dr. Nathan Scherer, DO FAAEM and HeartHero Champion. (Edited a bit for space.)
Each year between 180,000-450,000 people in the United States die from sudden cardiac arrest (SCA). HeartHero has developed a small, truly portable automated external defibrillator (AED). The survivability of public CPR is around 5%. Even though the AEDs you see inside a glass box on the wall at your school, work and in the airport, look intimidating they are easy to use. I get it that it can be scary because you are dealing with electricity, but an AED is a highly regulated device that won’t shock someone who doesn’t need it and the fact of the matter is you can’t make someone who is already dead-deader, you can only help. If you find yourself in a situation where you see someone who has collapsed in SCA, have someone call 911 while you grab the AED off the wall, take out the two large sticker pads which will show you where to place them on the person’s body and turn on the device. From there, the device will walk you through the steps. If the person would benefit from a shock, a shock will be given. If not, keep providing CPR until the paramedics arrive. Almost 70% of SCA events occur at home and 86 million Americans have risk factors for SCA. The next generation AED is coming. As a physician I think now is the time to start talking about sending these at-risk patients home with an AED. Then, just like that EpiPen you have in your purse, you also can have an AED that fits there as well- and with that, the power to help your loved one when they need it most.
(From the Giz Wiz) Even though availability is still up to a year away I asked Anthony Verdega, VP of Strategy and sales, if there was a price established yet. Anthony said the average AED in the marketplace now is $1600. They expect their HeartHero device (named Elliot) to be about half that, $800. UPDATE: I’m saw this again at CES2020 & they hope to get the price down to $700, but not hard date is yet available as to sales.
Company video: https://vimeo.com/288628082
Company website: http://www.hearthero.com /
See or here this entire ‘Best Of’ Show: www.gizwiz.tv/episode/1761
