Defribrillator

Engineers

by Hamsquatch - 2017-02-18 13:12:12

The people that designed your pacemaker are very smart people, the people that designed the technology in your vehicle are very smart people. If you use the vehicle under normal circumstances you will be fine. I have an ICD but an older car, my aunt has a new Toyota Camry and I didn't have a second thought and it's got all the bells and whistles like that push to start, sensors and stuff. As a matter of fact next week I plan on going to the Toronto International Autoshow and am going to sit in as many vehicles as possible. 

Now if you want to save yourself some money return it and get an old Chevy pickup truck! 

Vehicles

by dumb - 2017-02-18 13:46:44

If you so not like tour vehicle give it back, really simple.  Pay your loss, get rid of it. Very simple.

Now comes the question of what type of vehicle to purchase next.

I have a CRT-D I own a shinny new set of wheels with all the goodies, it practically drives itself and it is a wonderful bright red.  I spend several hours a day driving, never any interference with my CRT-D. I recently made a 1300 mile road trip, absolutely no negative reaction to all the goodies on the vehicle. I really love the Keyless Entry, I just put the key in my handbag, it can not get lost, I do not need to twist the key, I just push a button and the vehicle starts.

I have been driving electric cars also, never any problems with my CRT. 

When I have a reaction with my CRT the problem stops as soon as I move away from the magnetic field.

It sounds like you are just not comfortable with your purchase, so return it, sell it, give it away...Buy something less sophisticated. Vehicles are something most of us spend a lot of time in and $ on.

I am sure you have talked to your EP and Medtronic about your concerns.

If you are worried about your vehicle, have a close look at the world around you.

My CRT does cause problems with my antique VW Bus not the other way around.

Enjoy your new car

by Grateful Heart - 2017-02-18 21:07:24

I have a CRT-D (with defib) and my car has the newer electronic features too.  My device has no problems with it.   

Often we give answers peppered with humor on this site to lighten things up but sometimes we forget what it's like to be a newbie (at least new to this site) with many questions.

So enjoy your new car but if you really want to give it back.....I'll trade ya.  :)

Grateful Heart

You seem very concerned ...

by donr - 2017-02-20 09:27:26

...about this problem.

Let's put it to bed once & for all.  Grab the Owners' Manual & find all the Electrtonic Interference boilerplate.  Read it!!!!! And - when you awaken from the boredom of reading it, throw it into the glove box & forget it!

There are requirements by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), the Canadian equivalent, Japanese equivalent, EU (European Union)....... about safety & interference of computers & electronic devices with one another.  They just plain are not allowed to do it.  Then there are the FDA (US Food & Drug Administration) or whatever, plus all the world-wide equivalents, that are concerned with safety of medical devices in EMI fields.  Not only do they ride roughshod over radiation getting out, they are concerned about it getting in. 

If you are THAT scared of EMI affecting your PM/ICD - DO NOT, under ANY circumstances get into ANY gasoline powered vehicle, ever again.

Why???? Because they have some of the worst EMI generators known to mankind in them, & you have all your life & all the time you have hosted your devcice been exposed to them. They are called "SPARKPLUGS."  They operate at tens of thousands of volts (not to mention some pretty hefty amps) and radiate like mad at every frerquency in the EM spectrum.  IF your PM/ICD has a vulnerability to some frewquency, it has already been tested on your way home from the hosp.  That is, unless you drove home in a diesel bus.

What you probably do not realize is that way back in the days of original radio broadcasting the radio frequency energy to broadcast was generated by humongous spark gaps.  Your sparkplugs are miniature RF energy generators.

You will never know if your device is vulnerable till you get in the car & drive it.  Life is full of gambles & this is one of them.  This one has so small a risk that I'd say you can bet next month's mortage money that it will not be affected.
Donr (Elecktruckul Injunier)

The real problem

by Gotrhythm - 2017-02-20 12:14:31

If you want to take your new car back, by all means do. But I don't know what you're going to buy instead. All cars have had electronic features for the last 15 or 20 years--my 15 year old Toyota does--and next year they will only have more.

The unknown is the scarriest thing there is. As I read your post, I'm not sure you know what electronics are, or exactly what danger, if any, they represent to a person with an ICD. If something electronic did interfere with your ICD what do you believe would happen to you?

The only solution to fear of the unnknown is to arm yourself with knowlege because with knowledge comes confidence. 

And do it soon. Electronics and things with antennae are not just in cars, there're everywhere. I don't know where you can go to escape them. And it's only going to get worse. 

Good News TARSHA

by Hamsquatch - 2017-02-22 16:07:33

I went to the autoshow and sat in many many vehicles with all the bells and whistles and didn't feel I had any interference!