When you have a pacemaker or ICD, it's important to avoid strong magnetic
and electrical fields. The lists below show electrical and magnetic sources and
how they may affect your pacemaker or ICD. For best results, follow these
guidelines. If you have questions, check with your doctor.
Safety guidelines for pacemakers and ICDs
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Stay away from:
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- CB or ham
radios
- High-voltage power lines. Stay at least
25 ft (7.5 m)
away.
- Large magnets
-
MRI machines.
An MRI uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures
of organs and structures inside the body.
- Arc welders
- Battery-powered cordless power
tools
- Industrial power
generators
- Magnets
- Magnetic wands used at
airports
- Stereo speakers
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Use with caution:
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- Cell phones:
- Do not carry a cell phone in a
pocket directly over the pacemaker or ICD.
- Hold the phone to the
ear on the side away from your device.
- Keep a phone at least
6 in. (15 cm) away from the
pacemaker or ICD.
- MP3 player headphones:
- Do not keep headphones in a chest
pocket. Do not drape headphones over your chest.
- Keep the following devices at least
12 in. (30.5 cm) away from the
pacemaker or ICD:
- Arc
welders
- Battery-powered cordless power tools
- Industrial
power generators
- Magnets
- Magnetic wands used at
airports
- Stereo speakers
- Radio transmitters (including
those used in toys)
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Safe to use:
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- Kitchen and bathroom equipment:
- Bathroom appliances (electric
razors, curling irons, and hair dryers)
- Kitchen appliances (such as
toasters, blenders, electric can openers, and
refrigerators)
- Microwave, gas, and electric ovens
- Other household items:
- Electric tools (such as drills and
table saws)
- Lawn and garden equipment (such as mowers and leaf
blowers)
- Heating pads and electric blankets
- Washing
machines and dryers
- Phones (land-line phones including cordless
models)
- Remote controls
- TVs, VCRs, CD players, DVD
players
- Office equipment:
- Computers
- Copy
machines
- Fax machines
- Printers
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Medical tests and procedures
Most medical tests and procedures will not affect your pacemaker or ICD,
except for MRI, which uses strong magnets. To be safe:
- Let your doctors, dentists, and other health
professionals know that you have a pacemaker or ICD before you have any test,
procedure, or surgery.
- Have your dentist talk to your doctor
before you have any dental work or surgery.
- If you need physical
therapy, have the therapist contact your doctor before using ultrasound, heat
therapy, or electrical stimulation.
Travel
- You can safely walk through airport security
or anti-theft gates at a normal pace. But do not stand near or lean against
them. Before you pass through a metal detector, tell the security guards that
you have a pacemaker or ICD, and show them your device identification card.
Your pacemaker or ICD may set off a metal detector, but the security archways
will not damage the device.
- If you must be searched, ask the
security guard for a hand search. The handheld security wand contains a strong
magnet and should not be used. But if the handheld wand must be used, it should
not be held over your pacemaker or ICD for a long period of time. The security
guard should keep the wand at least
12 in. (30.5 cm) away from your
pacemaker or ICD.
- If your device sets off a security alarm, show
your device ID card.
Letting others know
- Carry an ICD or pacemaker ID card with you at
all times. The card should include manufacturer information and the model
number. Your doctor can give you a pacemaker or ICD identification card.
- Wear medical alert jewelry stating that you have a pacemaker or
ICD. You can buy this at most drugstores.
Follow-up care
- Go to all your appointments with your doctor to
make sure your device is working right. Your doctor and/or the device maker will contact you about what to do if your device is recalled.
- Take all your medicines as
prescribed. The medicines work with your pacemaker or ICD to help your heart
keep a steady rhythm.
When to call a doctor
Call your doctor right away if you have symptoms that could mean your device is not working properly, such as:
- Your heartbeat is very fast or slow, skipping, or fluttering.
- You feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint.
- You have shortness of breath that is new or getting worse.
After an ICD shock
Be sure you have a plan for what to do if you get a shock from your ICD. Talk to your doctor if you need to make a plan. In general, your plan depends on how you feel after you get a shock and how many times you get a shock.
After one shock:
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Call 911 or other emergency services immediately if you feel bad or have symptoms like chest pain.
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Call your doctor soon if you feel fine right way. Your doctor may want to talk about the shock and schedule a follow-up visit.
After a second shock within 24 hours:
-
Call your doctor immediately, even if you feel fine right away.
Infection near the ICD
Call your doctor right away if you think you have an infection near your ICD. Signs of an infection include:
- Changes in the skin around your ICD, such as:
- Swelling.
- Warmth.
- Redness.
- Pain.
- Unexplained fever.
It's safe to use a cell phone, but don't keep it in a
pocket directly over your pacemaker or ICD.
This answer is
correct.
It's okay to use cell phones when you have a
pacemaker or ICD. Just don't carry them in a pocket directly over the device.
This answer is
incorrect.
Cell phones are safe to use when you have a
pacemaker or ICD. But you should not carry them in a pocket that is directly
over the device.
You need to carry an ICD or pacemaker ID card with you
at all times. The card should include manufacturer information and the model
number.
This answer is
correct.
It's important to carry an ICD or pacemaker
card with you at all times.
This answer is
incorrect.
It's important to carry an ICD or pacemaker
card with you at all times.
A heartbeat that is very fast or slow, skipping, or
fluttering may be a sign that your pacemaker or ICD is not working right.
This answer is
correct.
A heartbeat that is very fast or slow,
skipping, or fluttering may be a sign that your pacemaker or ICD is not working
right. Call your doctor right away if you have these symptoms.
This answer is
incorrect.
A heartbeat that is very fast or slow,
skipping, or fluttering may be a sign that your pacemaker or ICD is not working
right. Call your doctor right away if you have these symptoms.