Power Lines?

Power lines?

by OzHeart - 2017-08-22 07:27:40

Hi DMB4500,

I can't believe how many cardioversions you've had; I'm too scared to have even one (1) !!!  Are they painful or inconvenient, or both?  My specialist has tried to get me to have one.

I'm in permanent AF, and have been for a few years.  I'm used to it now, I guess.  I also have an ICD, which is only set as a defibrillator at this stage (it can also perform as a cardioverter & pacemaker, but isn't set up that way as yet).

I'm replying because I am concerned about your living arrangements, under power lines.  You don't mention what sort of power (high power transmission lines or normal surburbian power lines).  If the former, I'd be very concerned if I was you, especially if you're a candidate for an ICD.  There is a lot of information about this on the internet already, but I'd recommend that you investigate further.  I am no expert, but I was an electronics technician in my working days and I know what power an electro-magnetic field can have, at quite a distance.

It's probably not so bad if it's just a suburban power line or two, however; and especially while you don't have an ICD.  Even so, can you change rooms & move your bedroom elsewhere in the house, even if only as a temporary measure.  If you can, then see how you feel.  Good luck with it all. 

Power lines

by Good Dog - 2017-08-22 07:46:05

I grew-up living next to (almost under) high tension power lines. When it rained I could hear them sizzling from my bedroom window, You could not physically live any closer than we did. While I needed a PM at age 38, my three sisters have no problems. My problem was congenital.

So, do I think the power lines are an issue? Quite simply: NO. 

I will acknowledge that over the years I have often wondered the same as you. 

Just my opinion.

Sincerely,

David

Power lines

by TAC - 2017-08-22 17:44:20

Much has been said about the effect of power lines too close to homes. So far no definite connection has been found between these lines and illness. Otherwise the Government would not allow it. Regarding you thoughts about a PM resolving your AF, I would say that a PM is not a cure for AF.. It might help if your heartbeats get too slow or extremely fast. Cardioversion is helpful if the heart rhythm will stay normal for a long time if not, certain anti-arrhythmic drugs are used to keep your heartbeats regular. Has your heart doctor suggested using them?

The whole gamut!

by Dmb4500 - 2017-08-22 17:54:19

Thanks Oz, David, TAC! Have had the whole line of meds and treatments (listed in long bio lol). I appreciate the responses. The power line thing really has made me wonder as the stats keep going up for folks with heart arrhythmias--and the world is more electrical all the time! 

I wonder too

by Gotrhythm - 2017-08-23 15:40:08

For the last 120-150 years the entire human race is conducting a massive experiment, with no control group, on the effects of electromagnetic polution.

We know living things generate, and can be affected by, electromagnetic fields. I think we would be unforgiveably naive to assume there will be no untoward effects somewhere.

Oh the other hand, I don't know where one would go to avoid being affected. You could move away from the power lines but unknowingly put yourself next to something that's producing an even stronger field.

I'm actually more concerned about the effects on our brains than our hearts.

Don't know how you would evaluate the stats, if you had them, since any apparent increase could simply be an artifact of our increased ability to diagnose. 

It's a connumdrum.