Heart Pacemakers...do trains cause problems?

[dougdagrump]

This is some of the info that came with my ICD(Implanted Cardioverter Defibrilater), what I refer to, with tongue in cheek, as my Pacemaker w/an attitude.

Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)

in the Home or Medical Environment

It is important to be aware of medical procedures and common items that may create electromagnetic

interference (EMI) with your device.

Items that give off electromagnetic signals may cause your device to mistake those impulses for the signals

coming from your heart. A pacemaker may respond by delaying its pacing. An ICD may respond by delivering

a shock that you don’t need or not providing a shock that is needed.

EMI is generally temporary and dependent on how close you are to the item giving off the signals.

Refer to this list for general items to avoid. Contact your doctor if you have any questions about how a specific

type of equipment will interact with your device.

MEDICAL PROCEDURES

Not Recommended:

■■ MRI/MRA scans*

■■ Microwave diathermy

Check with your doctor before undergoing the following procedures:

■■ Acupuncture with electrical stimulus

■■ Cardioversion

■■ Electrocautery

■■ Electroconvulsive therapy

■■ Electrolysis

■■ Endoscopic procedures:

colonoscopy/gastroscopy

■■ Hyperbaric therapy

■■ Iontophoresis

■■ Interferential current therapy

■■ Laser/Lasik eye surgery

■■ Lithotripsy

■■ Radiation therapy

■■ Radio frequency ablation

■■ Therapeutic ultrasound

■■ Transcutaneous Electrical

Nerve Stimulation (TENS)

■■ Transurethral prostate therapy

No Known Risk:

■■ Acupuncture with no electrical stimulus

■■ Bone density scan

■■ CT Scan

■■ Dental drills and ultrasonic scalers

■■ Diagnostic X-ray

■■ Electrocardiogram

SECURITY/ANTITHEFT SYSTEMS (Airports, Retail Stores)

No Known Risk, but follow precautions as noted:

■■ Inform airport security personnel you have an implanted device and show Medical Device ID card.

■■ Metal detectors and Electronic Article Surveillance systems are generally safe, but do not linger when you pass through them.

■■ If the alarm sounds (it may not), it only means that the system detected the metal in your device.

■■ Security personnel may use a handheld wand. If so, it is important that you ask them to perform the search quickly and to

avoid holding the wand over your implanted device for a prolonged period of time.

* Some newer pacemakers are called MRI (or MR) conditional. This means that they are designed to allow you to safely undergo an MRI scan

under set conditions, due to safeguards in the system’s design that protect it from the risks a non-MRI conditional system might face. You should

have been advised and given a special identification card if you have an MRI conditional pacemaker system.

Page 1 of 2

PERSONAL AND OFFICE TECHNOLOGY

Not Recommended:

■■ Magnetic mattresses or chairs

■■ Electrical equipment that is in poor condition or improperly grounded

No Known Risk, but follow precautions as noted:

■■ AM/FM radios

■■ Bingo game magnetic wands

■■ CB and ham radios

■■ CD/DVD players

■■ Cell phones*

■■ Copy machines

■■ Cordless phones*

■■ Handheld massagers*

■■ Hearing aids

■■ Electric blankets

■■ Electric toothbrushes

■■ Electric razors*

■■ Electric invisible fences

■■ Fax machines

■■ Global positioning systems (GPS)

■■ Hair dryers*

■■ Heart rate monitors

■■ Heating pads

■■ iPods and MP3 players

■■ Laser tag games

■■ Pagers

■■ Patient alert devices

■■ Laptop/desktop computers

■■ Personal digital assistants

■■ Printers

■■ Remote controls: TV, garage door,

stereo, camera/video equipment

■■ Scuba diving (up to 200 feet)

■■ Slot machines

■■ Stereo speakers*

■■ Tanning beds

■■ TVs and VCRs

■■ Video games

* Do not place directly over device

HOUSEHOLD ITEMS

Not Recommended:

■■ Electrical appliances that are in poor condition or improperly grounded

No Known Risk, but follow precautions as noted:

■■ Air purifiers

■■ Battery-powered cordless

power tools

■■ Blenders

■■ Clothes dryers

■■ Convection ovens

■■ Corded drills and power tools*

■■ Electric can openers

■■ Electric knives

■■ Electric ovens and stoves

■■ Food processors

■■ Gas ovens and stoves

■■ Gas-powered tools*

■■ Hot tubs/whirlpool baths

■■ Lawn mowers*

■■ Laser level

■■ Leaf blowers

■■ Microwave ovens

■■ Portable space heaters

■■ Snow blowers

■■ Soldering irons

■■ Stud finders

■■ Vacuum cleaners

■■ Washing machines

* Keep 12 inches from device

INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT

A variety of industrial equipment produce EMI of sufficient field strength and modulation characteristics to interfere with proper

operation of the pulse generator. These include, but are not limited to: arc welders; induction furnaces; very large or defective

electric motors; and internal combustion engines with poorly shielded ignition systems.

Page 2

[Greg Elmassian]

Magnetic "waves" are completely different than RF (Radio Frequency) waves.

There's nothing that operates on magnetism in a pacemaker.

 

 

[Curmudgeon]

Which I never run into with my key only, pushbutton start, no computer, point style ignition vehicles, I guess!

[dougdagrump]

I had my pacer/defibrilator put in last June, Rene's link is quite comprehensive with the warnings. However the better-half and I discovered one that is not listed nor were we told about after my procedure was done. Some, not all, autos with the remote start/keyless entry systems can have an adverse effect on pacemakers. 

[skippygp123]

Thanks to everyone who replied to my query.  I know that the information you sent will put my friend's worries to rest.

My gut feeling was that the trains wouldn't cause a problem since I've seen lots of older folks at train shows and have never seen anyone avoid the various layouts (logic says at least a few of those folks would have had pacemakers.)

So, again, thank you! 

[Rene Schweitzer]

FWIW, I found this great article on the American Heart Association about pacemakers. I don't think running model trains will be a problem.

[Curmudgeon]

I'm going to say this not as a trained member of the medical community.

I suppose if the club stopped by his house, and you all piled on the locomotives with motors on his chest.....remember the warnings "The State of Confus....errr..California has determined that this product is harmful...", well, when it was electronic circuit boards, the trick was not to eat them.

This article mentions 10 gauss limits...which, ikf I read the chart, is about 1-1/2" X 1-1/2". Your models have maybe 1/8" X 3/4" X 3/4"

Paper thin, comparatively.

https://www.kjmagnetics.com/blog.asp?p=pacemaker-safety

This one is more legalese....and even says so....but basically, even if you are affected by 17 pounds of rare earth magnets stcked on your chest, just remove them and the pacemaker returns to normal.

http://www.mynamebadges.com/blog/magnets-effect-pacemakers/

 

Next question I would have is:

Is this something he read on the algore or something his doctor actually told him?

I'd more worry about a new stupidphone 3.0 than model train motor magnets.

Have him czech with his health care professional.

We've got folks with pacemakers run here often...not only lots of magnets, but radio waves, and haven't had an aid car here in 20+ years.

TOC

[skippygp123]

A friend of ours has just had surgery to implant a pacemaker.  He is sure that he'll have to give us all his garden railroad trains because of the magnets used in the motors affecting his pacemaker. 

Is this true? 

Does anyone have any experience with this?

Thanks for your help!