❤️ heart-maxxxxing

"Your cardiac rehab journey, reimagined as an adventure. 36 sessions. One stronger heart."

heart-maxxxxing is a vibrant, Mario-style platformer designed to gamify the cardiac rehabilitation journey. We believe that recovering from a heart event shouldn't feel like a clinical chore—it should feel like a world-map adventure where every healthy choice is a "Power-Up."

🍄 Inspiration

Cardiac rehab can be a long, uphill climb—sort of like World 8-4. Traditional medical tracking is often dry and intimidating, which leads many patients to drop off before they reach the finish line. We wanted to bring the joy and simplicity of classic platformers to the recovery process. By reframing the standard 36-session rehab program into a "World Map" and daily exercises into "Levels," we’re helping patients stay motivated with a sense of play.

What it does

heart-maxxxxing turns your recovery plan into an interactive adventure:

The 36-Level World Map: Your entire rehab journey is laid out like a classic game map. Each of the 36 sessions is a "Level" you clear to move your character forward.
Session Power-Ups: Instead of boring charts, your progress is tracked through fun icons.
Flagpole Milestones: Reach major recovery milestones at the end of your 36 sessions.
Safety First: Just like a Mario game, if the system detects over-exertion, it encourages you to "pause" and take a breather before jumping back into the action.

How we built it

Framework: Next.js and React for a snappy, responsive web interface.
Aesthetics: Tailwind CSS paired with pixel-art inspired assets to give it that nostalgic, 8-bit arcade feel.
Animations: Framer Motion to handle the "bouncing" coins and character movements as users log their progress.
AI Integration: Powered by the Gemini API to act as your "In-Game Guide," providing friendly tips on how to clear the next health obstacle.
Deployment: Hosted on Vercel for 1-up levels of speed and reliability.

Challenges we ran into

Balancing the "Game Loop": We had to make sure the game was fun without being distracting. The goal was to reward health data, not just button-mashing.
Simplifying Complex Data: Turning blood pressure readings and heart rate zones into "Game Stats" that a non-technical user (or an older adult) could immediately understand.
The "Game Over" Problem: In health, there are no "Game Overs"—only retries. We worked hard to ensure the tone remains encouraging and supportive, even on days when a patient can't complete their goals.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

The Visual Vibe: We successfully captured that bright, optimistic Mario-style energy that makes a hospital-grade recovery plan feel like an afternoon of gaming.
Accessibility: Creating a UI that is high-contrast, easy to navigate, and big-button friendly for patients of all ages.
Personalized NPCs: Our AI guide doesn't just give medical advice; it cheers you on like a friendly sidekick.

What we learned

Play is Powerful: We learned that a simple "Level Clear" sound effect can do more for patient morale than a dozen clinical graphs.
Nostalgia as Therapy: There is a universal comfort in the "Level Up" mechanic that transcends generations, making it a perfect fit for a wide range of cardiac patients.
Health-First Design: We learned how to integrate real medical safety parameters into a playful UI without breaking the immersion.

What's next for heart-maxxxxing

Co-op Mode: Invite a "Player 2" (a spouse or friend) to join your journey and help you collect coins through shared walks.
Wearable Integration: Syncing directly with smartwatches so your character moves automatically as you walk in real life.
New Worlds: Expanding the map to include "Water Worlds" (swimming rehab) and "Cloud Worlds" (stress management and meditation).

Built for the **Pulse Foundry AI Healthcare* Hackathon 2026*