BMW.

[BobD]

Following a recent query regarding possible pacemaker interference from a new BMW car I have raised a query with the technical department at BMW UK and will report back when I receive a reply. None of the local people have heard of any problems by the way.

[WendyWu20]

Are you having a problem, or is your query on behalf of someone else?

[BobD Volunteer in reply to WendyWu20]

this was a question raised by another user who says that they feel ill driving their new BMW

[Hidden]

Interesting Bob, with all the new WiFi and connected comms to dealer etc it's not something I would be shocked by, be good to hear the outcome

[WendyWu20]

I'd be a willing volunteer, if any scientist wanted to stick me in a lab and fire up a variety of electro magnetic devices, and observe a heart monitor. This kind of research would really help us to understand if external devices are in part responsible for the current epidemic of AF.

(Conspiracy theory head on) they probably already have done the research and it shows we are being negatively affected, but the profit from selling technology is so enormous they don't give a cobblers about us.

So maybe I'll have to be content with wrapping my chest in Sainsbury's thickest foil and pray daily to Prometheus or whoever's in charge of lightning!

[BobD Volunteer in reply to WendyWu20]

Not sure that is a vision I am happy with?

In my view there is no such thing as an epidemic of AF. It is just that until about 20 years ago nobody bothered about it. Doctors told people it was normal and get on with life. Either that or with ladies it was "its your age dear"!!! Once the link with stroke was more understood around eleven or twelve years ago diagnosis became more common hence the greater number of people diagnosed. It has always been there just not given a name. .

[WendyWu20 in reply to BobD]

We can't scientifically measure the increase (or not) of AF and other heart rhythm issues over the last fifty years. I admit my choice of word, 'epidemic' was a little drama-queen-esque and not backed up by references! However, the exponential increase in electro magnetic technology and its affects on the heart are a massive concern to everyone.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to WendyWu20]

Agreed. Some years ago a new sub station was built in the basement below my desk at work and caused havoc with the old style TV screen computer monitors. In fact my office trailed the new IBM LCD screens . I raised concerns about the effect on us humans of all the interference but saw the test results which showed that the actual EMF in the street was higher. It was merely the disturbed wiring which caused the effect. I fathered two sons during that period so didn't do me any harm.

[Spoiler in reply to WendyWu20]

I can for certain say a loud music concert affects my heart. We had to leave due to the very loud music which I felt vibrations in the concrete floor. My heart actually ached, it was scary, I was afraid I was going to go into afib and mine requires cardioversion. We had to leave and I really wanted to stay. We have not gone to another concert, it was the strangest thing, but they had enormous bass in their music.

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

Hi Bob, I am very interested in the Thyroid- A-fib connection. Incorrect thyroid treatment over a period of years was found to be one of the main factors in my developing a-fib. Currently my afib is well controlled and managed after an ablation, a pacemaker, and a Watchman device. AF is on my back burner simmering away contentedly and not causing problems. But now am concentrating on straightening out a thyroid mess that has been years in the making from disinterested, ignorant, and ineffective care by my PCP/GP. Last month I was lucky to find a great endo who has gotten me on the right treatment path. Am already feeling better tho med changes are recent and still have a long way to go before meds are optimal. I'm wondering how many patients with afib would have possibly avoided AF if years ago someone had paid attention to providing proper attention to their thyroid-esp treating symptoms and listening to the patient instead of just checking their tsh and t4 and if they are "in range" dismissing their complaints and sending them off into the sunset with a pat on the back and the statement "You're fine. All your labs are normal!". (I hate that word 'normal') I understand there are many contributing factors to AF but I believe bad thyroid care is currently a big factor in increased AF. Although my AF is stable and I feel well I am still angry over years of dismissive attitudes about my thyroid complaints and subsequent inad.equate care. Thanks for listening to my rant. What say you? Thanks, irina BTW the HU ThyroidUK forum has been and is continuing to be the best help to come my way

[Hidden in reply to BobD]

Like many illnesses. Called by a different name or lack of awareness they were a problem. Also people died younger years ago and never got old enough for some of our fancier diseases to show up.

[Adiepie in reply to WendyWu20]

I would also like to volunteer to drive the BMW to test the effects......

[Hidden in reply to Adiepie]

Me too. And maybe a new Range Rover..... A dirty business, checking out new cars but someone has to do it!!LOL😊🐱🐱🐱. irina

[Hidden in reply to WendyWu20]

Maybe! Makes sense. I'm left-handed and always held my phone with my left hand-fairly close to my chest to see the screen better. When I got my pacemaker, I was told not to hold the phone on the left side and especially not close to my chest. Took me about 2 months to get use to holding in my right hand. Fine now but if a smartphone can be that big of a concern makes you wonder about a big BMW!!. I also remember a tip from this forum sometime ago-I think from drdave(?) re using our kardias. He said if we get difficult readings-ie artifacts, etc, turn it on airplane mode to get rid of electrical(?) interference (I'm paraphrasing). We all have multiple smaller technological items in our homes. Makes sense they add up and cause interference. BTW I got rid of my microwave when I got the pacemaker. My kitchen is small and I got tired or worrying how far away from it my pacemaker was. Don't miss it. Nuked food probably not that healthy anyway!😊

[Sunny-fl]

I have been looking into this question also only for a different brand of automobile. My pacemaker manual is vague regarding this.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Sunny-fl]

There were some press stories about four or five years ago about a lady with a PM and a Nissan Micra with keyless entry but it all went quiet.

[Flyer2820]

Hi BobD

I will be interested in the outcome of your enquiry as my wife now has a pacemaker. I know that certain electrical appliances are not recommended with pacemakers, such as Induction hobs. I was thinking of getting one until I found out that she should be at least 600mm away from the device so as not to affect the pacemaker, and I don't want to do all the cooking. All electrical devices give off a small magnetic field but most times it is too small to cause problems. Please keep us posted. Thank you.

Regards Flyer.

[BobD Volunteer in reply to Flyer2820]

ditto electric Mig or Tig or plain arc welding.

[Flyer2820]

Yes my wife's not doing Tig welding anymore though. Ha ha.