pacemaker question

Good Evening........I have just joined the club, I have had the pacemaker implanted for a while. Would anyone know if the electric motors in the Prius auto cause disruption to the pacer?
Also does anyone have experience with radiation from amateur radio transmitters in the automobile or even cell phones. Petrus Thanks in advance

3 Comments

Look under Interferences on the left

by janetinak - 2008-12-22 12:12:19

this question was discussed 5/24/08.

Hope that helps.

Janet

Interference

by ElectricFrank - 2008-12-22 12:12:35

Hi,
Very little seems to affect the modern pacemaker. The effect of magnetic fields on the pacemaker has to do with a magnetic reed switch in the pacer that is used by the programming equipment to control access. It also can be used by the ER to put the pacer in a fail safe mode needed during emergency procedures. The magnetic level to actuate the switch requires a fairly strong field. State of the art motors like in the prius, or even engine alternators don't allow much of the field to escape as that is lost power.

As for amateur radio transmitters I haven't found that to be a problem either. I am a ham (W6DZG) and while I'm not currently on the air I have been around friends transmitters covering HF, VHF, and UHF with no problems. Near the antenna would cause the most problem. This type of interfere is due to the pacemaker leads picking up the external signal and causing the pacer to misfire. The leads are inside the body which is a pretty good shield.

I have deliberately held a cell phone right over my pacer with no problems.

My approach with any new source of potential interference is to test it under conditions where I wouldn't cause any hazard to myself or others. That way I could just move away from the offending device, but so far it has never happened.

I have AV block and pace 100% of the time. For me a pacing failure causes my HR to drop to about 35BPM so I would notice it if there were a problem. I can handle that HR without passing out, but I sure would notice it. Recently, I had the Medronic rep turn the pacing off for 30 seconds to see what happens.

If you have any more questions, feel free to either post it here or sent a private message.

best,

frank

Prius

by richan - 2008-12-26 06:12:54

Hi Petrus,
I have had my Prius since August of 2007 and, so far, have not experienced any problems. Of course, I have not climbed under the hood with the engine running.
I would trust what frank has to say - I think he is a very knowlegeable person. I do enjoy learning from him.
Thank you Frank and take care Petrus.

Richan

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Member Quotes

My eight year old son had a pacemaker since he was 6 months old. He does very well, plays soccer, baseball, and rides his bike. I am so glad he is not ashamed of his pacemaker. He will proudly show his "battery" to anyone.