[Heart and fiction: where historical reality ends and fantasy begins]

The heart is a remarkable organ from both a scientific and functional standpoint, as well as a symbolic representation of many noble elements of human concern found in poetry, art, and religion. Cinema, a form of art in and of itself, has also taken an interest in the heart. Recently, a TV series dedicated to this organ has combined historical research on the groundbreaking development of the possibility of curing it with the romantic element of the love affair that, in a figurative sense, passes through the same organ. About 75 years ago, cardiology began to evolve and culminate in cardiac surgery, which has since spread quickly throughout the globe, including Italy. Fiction is an enjoyable and easily accessible instrument that tells the tale of the creation and quick evolution of cardiology. It is undoubtedly a superb educational medium that helps both the younger and older generations learn about, understand, and value our heritage.