Data Sources & References

GetHeartSmart relies on reputable public‑health organisations, government guidelines and evidence‑based research. This page lists the primary sources consulted when creating our content and design system.

Design & accessibility guidelines

• NHS Digital Service Manual – Guidance on using colour and typography in health services, including the benefits of dark text on a light background and the judicious use of red for urgent information.
• Accessibility Works: 2026 ADA Web Accessibility Standards & Requirements – Overview of the WCAG 2.2 Level AA standard and legal requirements for web accessibility in 2026.
• Motionbuzz: Healthcare Web Design Trends 2026 – Discussion of trends such as telemedicine integration, AI‑driven personalisation and the importance of accessibility and streamlined UX/UI.
• Afixt: Designing for Cognitive Disabilities – Best practices for designing inclusive websites using plain language, simplified layouts and clear visual hierarchy. (Accessed June 2025.)

Privacy & legal guidance

• Forge & Smith: Privacy Policies for 2025 – Explains why websites that handle user data must publish a privacy policy and the key elements required by regulations like the GDPR and CCPA. It also emphasises listing only the types of data you collect and providing transparent purposes for use.
• TermsFeed: Medical Disclaimer Template – Defines a medical disclaimer and advises that it should state the information is for educational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Clinical & emergency guidance

• NHS: Heart attack – Causes, symptoms and treatment – Provides clinical information on recognising heart attack symptoms and the importance of calling emergency services promptly.
• American Heart Association: Warning signs of a heart attack – Offers patient‑friendly explanations of heart attack symptoms and emergency steps for the US and Canada.
• European Commission Health Policy – Contains information on the European emergency number 112 and advice on recognising and responding to medical emergencies.

Updates & versioning

We review and update our content as new research, guidelines and regulations emerge. The sources above represent our baseline but not an exhaustive list. We encourage users to consult official public‑health organisations for the most current information.

Last updated: 9 January 2026