Electrical devices generally have no influence on pacemakers as long as they do not leak, for example, do not have a frayed cable. I had a patient who didn’t have a pacemaker, it was a defibrillator, but every time he opened his garage door he got a shock. Defibrillators are also implanted in the chest and can perform the same function as pacemakers by detecting that the heartbeat is slow and increasing its rate. However, their main function is to control malignant tachycardia, that is, when the heart beats too fast and threatens life, these devices are able to force the heart muscle to restore its normal rhythm. In my patient’s case, what happened was that his garage door shorted out and when he touched the opening button, an electrical impulse was generated that my patient didn’t notice, but his defibrillator did and that’s why it gave a small discharge.
So the first answer to your question is: if we only talk about electrical devices, when functioning correctly there is no interference with pacemakers or defibrillators. But we are talking about electrical appliances.
Interference can occur with electromagnetic devices, i.e. if the device in question has a strong magnet. Some commonly used devices that are electromagnetic, i.e. have magnets, include induction cooktops and wireless cell phone chargers (those that cannot be plugged in), as well as other commonly used devices. Such devices can have a magnetic field so strong that it can be detected by pacemakers or defibrillators. For this reason, people with implanted pacemakers do not go under the magnetic sheets at airports because they could confuse the pacemaker.
More information
What happens if the pacemaker mistakes an electrical or electromagnetic signal for a heart malfunction? The pacemaker can interpret that the heart is beating spontaneously and inhibit itself (do not stimulate the heart muscle to contract). The consequences depend on the reason for implanting the pacemaker and the characteristics of the patient. If the person has a spontaneous heart rhythm, it probably won’t cause any symptoms (or mild dizziness). On the contrary, if the pacemaker was inserted because that person has a blockage and does not have his own heart rhythm, when the device detects this electromagnetic interference, it behaves as if it were the heart that sent this impulse (one walks from that). it is its own rhythm). ), does not provide the necessary stimulation and the wearer may lose consciousness. Therefore, one must be careful with electromagnetic interference.
All people who have had a pacemaker implanted are given an instruction book, called a pacemaker book, which explains how to care for the device’s maintenance. These recommendations also include how to deal with possible electromagnetic interference and what you can and cannot do. And there is a manual from the Spanish Society of Cardiology that also answers all these questions. In addition, each commercial pacemaker brand provides information on its website that answers all of these questions about possible malfunctions. But in general, it is quite easy to avoid these glitches. For example, I tell my patients with pacemakers that if they already have an induction stove, they shouldn’t change it, just be careful not to get too close to the hob when cooking.
Elena Arbelo She is a cardiologist at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona, Coordinator of the Department of Genetic Heart Diseases and Sudden Arrhythmic Deaths and Quality and Safety of the Institut Clínic Cardiocularis of the same hospital; European Coordinator of Thematic Area 1 (Hereditary arrhythmias and syndromes associated with sudden death) of the European Reference Network for Rare, Low Prevalence and Complex Heart Diseases (ERN GUARD-Heart).
Question emailed from Ruth Lazkoz
Coordination and writing:Victoria Toro
We answer is a weekly scientific consultation organized by Dr. Antoni Esteve Foundation and the L’Oréal-Unesco “For Women in Science” program and answers readers’ questions about science and technology. They are scientists and technologists, members of AMIT (Association of Women Researchers and Technologists), who answer these questions. Send your questions to [email protected] or on Twitter #nosotrasrespondemos.
The advice provided by this practice is of a general nature and does not replace medical advice. If you have any questions about your specific problem, contact your doctor.
You can followEL PAÍS Health and well-being on Facebook, X and Instagram.