Pacemakers and metal detectors at airports

[Jonathan_C]

Hi - I had a pacemaker put in July 2024 to prevent pauses in my heart.

The pauses mostly occurred when was asleep and were very irregularly and infrequent. For instance, when I had my six week check up, the pacemaker had not been triggered during that time.

My cardiologist told me I would get a card I could show airport security that I have a pacemaker - so that they would not make me walk through the metal detectors. I have not yet got the card - but if i recall correctly the metal detectors only affect the pacemaker for the few seconds you are in the metal detector and therefore its not essential for me to avoid the metal detectors as it is very unlikely that my heart will pause when I am active, walking and standing up.

Its only an issue for people who rely on the pacemaker to keep the heart beating.

Does anyone have knowledge about this?

[CDreamer]

There was a very similar question quite recently. You must chase the hospital and ask for the details of make, registration number etc. When I got the card I photographed so always on my phone. I was given my pacemaker card before I left the hospital with all of the details but it is also on the App which collects the information to send to the clinic so I tend to use that going through airports.

Security very rarely ask to see proof of pacemaker and if I can’t find my card I just lift my blouse and show the outline of the device, they wave you around the scanner and do a pat down and hand scan. Only once did I have to go into a full body scanner (which is pacemaker safe) where they do head to toe full body scanner inside a capsule. Only ever seen at one airport but can’t remember where that was!

There are certain devices you need to avoid with a pacemaker, Induction hobs being the biggest. Anything with a strong electrical current. If you ever have to have an MRI you will need the details of the pacemaker as it needs to be protected prior to the MRI - which is why if you need on, radiography will often do all of the people with pacemakers on one day. Some of the very modern pacemakers are supposed to be MRI safe but that should be marked on your card.

[Jonathan_C in reply to CDreamer]

Thanks - the cardiologist gave me a detailed description of the procedure on a formal letterhead, so I will use that. Better safe than sorry. I will wear shirt that is easy to show where the pacemaker is.

[Czech_Mate in reply to CDreamer]

As far as I know the biggest risk at security scanning are the "paddles" they pass over you, particularly if the frame has shown up some metal on/in you. Obviously the frame is going to detect the metal of a pacemaker. Can anyone confirm this?

[Rosemaryb1349 in reply to Czech_Mate]

The pacemaker Dept head at Inverness hospital told me that the hand held detectors at airports could do more damage than the walk through screens but there are now more air scanners at airports which are perfectly safe for pacemaker wearers.

[BobD Volunteer]

The problem is the metal detector may think you have a gun hidden away and you get stopped and frisked. No worry about being affected at all. As I said to a recent similar enquiry somebody has screwed up big time. I had my card before I was discharged. Please chase it asap. It is not just about airporst security. Emergency service staff need to know in case you are fatally injured any time so they can switch it off. lol 😂

[baba in reply to BobD]

“No worry about being affected at all.”

This is misinformation BobD.

Certain scanners CAN interfere with pacemakers.

Some airports have scanners that are safe to use with pacemakers . I know one airport that has two different types, one where you stand inside as described by CDreamer , this is safe for pacemakers, and one where you walk through which is not safe .

I have always found security staff very knowledgeable and have never been asked for proof of having a pacemaker but always carry my card and also have a photo of it in my phone

[Botolph in reply to baba]

Yes, Manchester’s airport has a safe scanner. When I queried it they said, ‘we’re not trying to kill you., you’ll be fine.’ And I was.

[opal11uk]

When I take my dog, a Chihuahua to the vets, a vet nurse approached me with a paddle to check if my dog was chipped, the chip is magnet, and as my dog was in my arms I was none too happy and told her no as I had a pacemaker.

[Jonathan_C]

I am not sure Chihuahua's are good for pacemakers

[Ilovedogs12 in reply to Jonathan_C]

😂

[Czech_Mate in reply to Jonathan_C]

Depends whether they have chips in them.😉

[quanglewangle]

Although I got a card with my first pacemaker I had to ask for one when I got my replacement. Anyway I have never been asked to exhibit a card and on every occasion a simple hand on heart gesture has always sufficed to get me diverted away from the scanner to be frisked.....😍

[Sheepbreeder]

A microchip in a dog, horse, or sheep is a radio frequency device and has no magnetic values. The, wand or stick reader (used by sheep keepers) is a radio frequency reader and will almost certainly not disturb your PM. This the same technology used by shops to protect their goods from theft. In a shop the RF reader is in the "gate" you pass through as you leave the shop and will alarm if it reads a RF tag still attached to an item you are trying to make off with. A totally different technology to a metal detector used in an airport where an electro magnetic field is emitted from the paddle as it is passed over you and if you have any metal objects under your clothing the magnetic field is disturbed and an alarm activated.

[JOY2THEWORLD49]

Hi

Metoprolol actually caused my pauses at. night.

So don't get a pace maker until that is ruled out - the meds causing pauses.

Not with Bisoprolol or Diltiazem.

cheri JOy. 75. (NZ)