I'm a rookie pacemaker patient. Needing advice.

[Igotrhythm]

I'm a rookie pacemaker patient. Would like to protect the pacemaker from damage when using seatbelts and wearing backpacks, that sort of thing.

Does anyone know where I could find some clothing / equipment.

Kindest Regards

[Hanibil]

You can get a set of pads that fit over your seatbelt from Halfords, but you probably won’t use them for long I didn’t. I use a backpack while mountain biking and have no problems.

[Igotrhythm in reply to Hanibil]

Thanks for the info. Perhaps I'm overthinking things a tad.

[Bingo88]

Hello lgotrhythm for the amount of time your going to use it. A micro fibre cloth or any cloth doubled over to put on top of the pacemaker area will give you enough padding. Hope your doing OK. I am 3 years since my 1st one. Brian

[Mandylifeboats]

I've had a pacemaker since 2012 and for 99% of the time I forget all about it. Apart from not going too near a working microwave and not lingering around store exit security systems your life should be the same as anyone else's. Good luck!

[Igotrhythm in reply to Mandylifeboats]

Much appreciated. Most responses have said things similar to you. Kindest regards

Smile, breathe and go slow.

[Hidden]

Dear igotrhythm

Hello to you from this side of the pond, hope is all well your side.

I am about to have a pacemaker and this was one of my questions to the cardiologist that is about to perform the operation.

His words were that the pacemaker its self is a solid state piece of equipment and it’s only main weakness is the leads {both heart end and Pacemaker end} and that it would be virtually impossible to damage the unit by blows.

You are more likely to damage the unit by electrical means and the leads by over reaching/exercise and violet jolts.

He said that he had a patient that wore a plate over his unit {built into a T-shirt} that are available online, and his opinion on it was that if it gave them peace of mind then it was a good thing.

Some say that the seatbelt can rest on it and for a few weeks they use a pad {made up or brought for a car accessories shop} for comfort.

So in answer to your main question then yes these things are available, but judging by the pacemaker facebook group most people just get on with it, by the way there is a link to that clothing firm on there,

but to be honest I’m sure that someone handy with a needle could rig you something up, maybe using some of that padding that your footballers hide behind !!! Only joking,

Take care.

[Igotrhythm in reply to Hidden]

Appreciate your cardiologist pearls of wisdom. Thanks for sharing that. Slow and steady wins the race. Kindest regards

[Qualipop]

A folded small towel or facecloth for the first few weeks then forget it. JUst don't go through airport security systems, avoid high power lines and stand back from microwaves oh and don't carry your phone switched on in that top pocket but avoiding bumps and such are more for your comfort than the machine

[Hidden]

Good afternoon, I asked the very same question a couple of months ago. The advice I got from everyone was about the same as you.

The seat belt was only an issue as a passenger in the car for the first few weeks and someone advised me to use a folded hand towel. It was perfect and as I kept it in the car I didn’t forget to use it.

Now two months on I don’t need anything.

I haven’t yet found a comfortable solution for a bag yet as only use one shoulder but not really worried as I have a whole new life with the pacemaker.

Hope yours is successful as mine.

X

[bikerider2022]

HI, I felt the same when I first had my ICD fitted.

You'd have to go a long way to damage the box, sometimes a rucksack strap will rub, but it depends on how long you wear it for really.

Try not to worry about it (easier said that done)

[Cricket23]

Some good advice here. Just to add that I asked the same questions of my cardiologist and cardiac nurse back in 2019 when I had my Pacemaker / ICD fitted. I was also concerned about induction hobs as we'd just had one fitted. The cardiac nurse said, not to worry about any of this stuff, and even if I went through one of the airport security gates, then nothing would happen. I got the impression there might have been a problem with earlier models of pacemaker / security devices. I travel a lot for work, and TBH when I tell security I have a pacemaker, it's a bonus as I don't have to empty my pockets!

On the subject of protecting the advice, I found something called 'Vital Beat'. This fits into a small pocket sown into a compression top. There test videos are quite informative. I do lots of skiing and mountain biking and my wife in particular appreciates the (possible) added security / peace of mind that this give.

Cheers, and all the best

[PCN56 in reply to Cricket23]

Hi - I've just noticed your mention of induction hobs and having just had a PM fitted it's probably the main concern I have. Most bits of kit I can avoid or adapt to but I do want to use the induction hob. How has your experience gone?

[Igotrhythm in reply to PCN56]

Greetings PCN56I live in Canada and I believe it was cricket23's Cardiac Nurse that thought the induction hob was ok to be around.

I looked up what hob meant and realize now, it is what we call our "cook stove" over here. LOL.

I, like you, have heard that the electromagnetic affects of the induction hob is best to be avoided. We don't use the induction hob here, all that much, as ours is strictly electrical and have no magnetic component to it.

Am finding out that it is the magnetic part of different machines and tools that can cause pacemaker problems. However, I'm assured that once you step away your pacemaker simply resets to its proper settings an all is great.

Sounds good on paper.

[PCN56 in reply to Igotrhythm]

Thanks Igotrhythm - We put in an induction hob last year as its very efficient and now may regret that if I have to replace it! There do seem to be lots of "warnings" and i suppose part of the answer may be that the effect could be quite personal to the individual with the PM and to the specific PM model itself. I shall approach the hob cautiously

[Cricket23 in reply to PCN56]

It's been absolutley fine. No problems at all.I wouldn't worry about it. All the best. C23

[Igotrhythm in reply to Cricket23]

Thanks. My son uses a induction hob and the concern hang around in the back of my mind, like a bad smell. That's why I like this site and its open honest comments.