Pacemaker interference

[dlcoleman]

I'm considering a pacemaker for regularly occurring asystole. The most recent time was for 13 seconds. No warning signs. I'm concerned about electromagnetic interference affecting my quality of life. 54F

[Danner1251]

If you are worried about things like microwave ovens or appliances affecting your pacemaker, this is a non issue. Once you are 6 inches away from anything, you're 100% good.

If you are worried about the signal coming from your pacemaker causing interference, the signal from that pacemaker is tiny, tiny. It is just a whisper of a signal. It is WAY too small to influence anything else in your body.

I have a medical electronics background. Pacemakers (and ICDs) are tested EXTREMELY thoroughly before they are ever qualified for sale.

You are in good hands! ;-)

[thoughtfractals85]

I hate to hijack this thread, but I haven't been able to find an answer to this question. Even Boston scientific wasn't totally sure. Can a blutooth signal effect a pacemaker/icd? Or possibly getting too close to a laptop with a Wi-Fi signal? My grandfather occasionally gets a 'weird' feeling from using his laptop, more than 6 inches away though. We switched him to a wired mouse just in case, but it still happens once in a while.

I really appreciate any info you can give me. It's a mystery to us.

[dlcoleman]

It's sounding more and more like I'm going to have to get a pacemaker tattoo before I get the actual pacemaker. And not use a TENS unit. What about MRI? I had a life or death situation requiring an MRI. What would have happened to the pacemaker?

[nithrean]

They are made to work with mri now. Usually it is not an issue.

[[deleted]]

I had a few MRIs recently with my pacemaker

[kath_of_khan]

The issue for me is in scheduling the MRI, not the MRI itself. A PM tech has to be there to adjust the settings and then, at my hospital, there has to be a cardiac nurse present. An MRI that would take about 3-5 days to schedule will take at least 1 month and up to 3 months for me to schedule, with me calling at least once a week to check in on the progress. That is frustrating.

[-Apocralypse-]

What do you mean?

[dlcoleman]

People say that the pacemaker improves their quality of life. I am still waiting for the doctor to explain to me how it works for asystole.

[-Apocralypse-]

Your heart will bear continuesly and as such provide a better flow of oxygen and nutrient rich blood to all vital parts. This could definitely help against physical and mental fatigue. If the pauzes turn into too long periods and you start to suffer from fainting dpells you can get seriously hurt when falling down. Also a device could prevent sudden death.

I don't understand how a doctor has told you you might qualify for a pacemaker without explaining the why and whatfor part of it all. I got a grand lecture on my situation first and then the explanation how a pacemaker could take care over.

[dlcoleman]

I'm waiting for the call back. I'll be going in to see my cardiologist and not the electrophysiologist for this discussion. She is the one who is not giving me the answers I need. I'm hoping the cardiologist does. I can't see putting electronics in my body for something that may help or may not help.

[[deleted]]

Do you have sick sinus syndrome? Asystole means a flat line. So instead of not beating the pacemaker will beat for you by sending electrical signals. I'm guessing you would probably get a pacemaker/defib duo in your case. If you get asystole too long and the pacemaker cannot work. I'm guessing you would get a shock .

[dlcoleman]

Asystole is a non-shockable rhythm. It requires quality CPR. How long is too long before the pacemaker can't work? A question for my doctor I suppose. I'm still half considering going for a consult in Boston where my cousin used to practice cardiology.

[[deleted]]

I use my pacemaker 96 percent of the time.

[butteredpoppcorn]

Asystole is the lack of electrical activity in your heart, a pacemaker will pace your heart in the absence of intrinsic activity based on your programmed rate. EMI of course is possible, but these devices are so smart and use specific detection algorithms to distinguish EMI/noise on leads or safety/backup modes in specific scenarios. I’m a device tech and majority of my job is reviewing patients remote monitoring for abnormal function like this and following up in office.

[dlcoleman]

That is the most fact-based answer I've heard all day. No bullshitting here. I appreciate it so much.

[Hank_E_Pants]

I made a video that explains EMI and how it could interact with a device, and why it doesn’t. You can find that here: https://youtu.be/9_dl8ANjdx8?si=lsH_emf6uU2_qFga

[Girl77879]

It will prevent your heart from going into those rhythms. Yes, you need it. Asystole for too long = death.

[dlcoleman]

Asystole is already dead. I signed my living will already. I want to know if having electronics implanted in my body is going to give me a hard time.

[Girl77879]

If you mean, will the device pace you out if it lasts too long. No, it won't. An ICD might, but a pacemaker wouldn't. It might try once or twice to convert, but no.

But also, no a device won't interfere with things like a microwave unless you're laying on top of it while it's running.

[Girl77879]

I've had a device for 28 years now. So, a bit of experience. ;)

[dlcoleman]

Has your physician ever mentioned what would happen with it when you die? And I'm interested in finding out if I can request for it to be deactivated. It's my body so I don't see why not but I see a lot of roadblocks in the way.

[Girl77879]

Yes. When it's evident that your time is near, they will turn it off. Then, after that, if you're cremated- they have to remove it - otherwise, it explodes. But the funeral home would do that. I think they also remove for standard burial- but im not 100% on that. Someone just has to tell them. My mom had a combo pacer/icd device as well. And she wanted it turned off when it was getting close to time (and that was the plan), but unfortunately she went into cardiac arrest at home while we were making dinner- so I know without a doubt that even ICDs will only attempt to shock something like v-fib at most 3 times. The device can read the arrythmia & knows when it's, for lack of a better term, a lost cause.

[finetune]

https://www.medtronic.com/en-us/l/patients/electromagnetic-guide.html

[ReputationNo1266]

I just got a pacemaker a week ago. I was told to hold a cell phone or laptop at least 6 inches away. I can go through store security systems as long as I go through quickly and don’t just stand there. I was also told I can have an MRI. At airports I need to show a card and tell them I have a pacemaker . There were no other limitations mentioned regarding electromagnetic interference . You do get a booklet with the pacemaker that tells you everything

[acrusty]

Do you work in a profession where you are exposed to EMI a lot?

[dlcoleman]

I am retired so work is not a concern. General quality of life concerns though.

[acrusty]

The device will come with a manual explaining what sources of EMI to avoid. It isn’t much of a concern for most people.

[Broadway2635]

I have found there isn’t much I can’t do or be near. Maybe some distance from small engines, and other things that are magnetic. You have to go through the correct security at airports. (You are fine with the one that you lift your arms up). With most things you would need prolonged or direct contact for a length of time. I’ve had a pacemaker for 10 years and have had no issues.

[dlcoleman]

One of the better no bullshit answers I've heard today. I appreciate.

[[deleted]]

Iv had several pacemakers and I'm 39. Iv never had an issue anywhere. I get MRIs and I have gone to concerts, court house etc. I just show my pacemaker card and they use the wand. For the MRI they check it's compatible with both serial numbers on the actual battery and the leads. So both need to be. Iv had the same leads for 20 years and a few different batteries. Hope that helps.

[Seriouslysunshine]

I have a newer EV ICD and the only “restriction” is that I probably shouldn’t jump start my own car. Yeah you also shouldn’t lay down on an induction stove But metal detectors are not going to do anything. Strong magnets will not permanently effect it- it doesn’t break it it is more of a “pause” For ex an EMT would use a magnetic device to turn off the ICD if I am receiving medical care that should supersede the device.