Pacemaker question with a difference ☺️

[Knavesmire27]

Ok, so this one is a bit out of the left field but I am going to ask it anyway. I have very recently had a pacemaker fitted and am going to be spending lot of time with family over Christmas. Many of them (especially grandkids) wear smart watches/fitbits etc. Any tips on hugging when they are wearing these. Can anyone share their experiences. I don't want to not hug or make a big deal out if it if I don't need to so any advice would be gratefully received ☺️

[Stentsandrun]

Where abouts did you hear or read that they pose a threat, particularly in the scenario you have cited?

[Lezzers in reply to Stentsandrun]

Heart devices are affected by being too close to anything magnetic, including smart watches as the magnets in them can turn the device off or cause it to malfunction. Each device manufacturer has warnings about this in their literature. Some people hug by pulling you closer to them by your shoulders & therefore the smart watch would be too close to the device, which is usually fitted just under the shoulder bone. Hope that explains things for you.

[Buddy00 in reply to Lezzers]

That’s not entirely correct. There are many people with pacemakers who wear smart watches ( myself included) and use mobile phones etc and have absolutely no issues whatsoever.

[Lezzers in reply to Buddy00]

As does my husband and he has done for years! I didn't say everyone with a smart watch will have issues, I simply answered the question that was asked! However the warning is absolutely correct as it's in the manufacturers literature. A 'warning' is exactly that though just a 'warning', telling you that something may happen not that it will happen!

[kendbal in reply to Lezzers]

I had a pacemaker put in 1.5 years ago. I am a consultant and I am testing smartwatches for Apple, Google , Fitbit, etc. for a few years before and after the pacemaker. I wear a smartwatch on each wrist and on each ankle. I do EKGs and EDAs once when I awake and once after dinner. I also test Bluetooth blood pressure cuffs with Artificial Intelligence software. The results are relayed to Apple Corporation and Stanford University Medical for interpretation. Results are registered on four separate cell phones. I, personally, have not had any interference with the pacemaker. However, everyone is unique, so I would seek advice from your pacemaker clinic and your cardiologist, to be safe. And magnets are very dangerous when too close. Unless the pacemaker is MRI compatible, it is best to consult with your cardiologist. Very important to get professional advice.

[Knavesmire27 in reply to Stentsandrun]

Just an overactive magination really. Sort of popped into my head so thought I would ask ☺️.

[survivorsguilt in reply to Knavesmire27]

I have a loop recorder which is a large thingy the size of a longish memory stick, if people hug me too tight it digs in but d ones no harm. Enjoy your christmas and your hugs.

[Lezzers]

Hi knavesmire

My husband has a CRT-d so I do get your concern. Generally hugging someone will be ok, simply because when you're hugging you usually have your arms round each others. But before you start hugging, I would just explain that your device is susceptible to magnets in watches etc. Maybe make a bit of a joke, of it. My husband's CRT-d & previous ICD used to bleep if he got too near anything with a magnet, this reminded him to move away from the culprit & the device should reset itself. I'm not sure pacemakers do the same but I'd just phone your pacing clinic and ask them about it.

[Buddy00]

Theres no issues with wearing a smart watch let alone if someone else is wearing one. The best advice regarding your pacemaker is to just live your life . Eventually you’ll forget that you even have one . There’s not much in every day life that is going to cause you any problems unless you’re working in an industry with lots of magnetic fields.

[Stentsandrun in reply to Buddy00]

Correct. Best not travel in an electric car eh!

[Lezzers in reply to Stentsandrun]

Interesting, could I ask which heart device you have?

[Stentsandrun in reply to Lezzers]

I don't, but I've got a degree in physics if that's any help? You obviously have no idea of the science involved. The risk posed by a smartwatch is not even worth talking about! The only reason manufacturers issue warnings is to cater for the crazy litigation world we are living in, driven mostly by the US. As I said if you are going to worry about anything there are many things that might cause a risk, motors in an electric vehicle being one. Kittens farts and hurricanes spring to mind!

[Lezzers in reply to Stentsandrun]

So, no experience at all but lots of big words!🤔 I have reported your unnecessary rude comments!

[Stentsandrun in reply to Lezzers]

Lol, I've got tons of experience, I worked in the field! Anyway well done, hope it has cheered your day up! Rude comments, dear me.......

[Jonathan_C]

I have a pacemaker and wear a smart watch on my left wrist - its not a problem. When you hug people do it with a loving embrace so that their arms go around your back - then their smart watches will come nowhere near the pacemaker.

[Drawforaliving]

don't let it worry you, for a hug you will be fine. Lying a device on your device and leaving it there would probably be the only thing to cause a problem. Induction hobs are one of the worst appliances to get near and I have used one of those stepping back repeatedly when I had no choice abroad. You device will alert by sound if anything is interfering with operation.

[L8Again in reply to Drawforaliving]

NHS and BHF advice is always based on an abundance of caution. When my wife asked her cardiac consultant about the risk from an induction hob, his view was that she could lie on top of it and, worst case, her pacemaker would revert back to factory settings. He wasn’t suggesting that she wouldn’t notice the temporary pacing change whilst the pacemaker was detecting a magnetic field.

That said, we don’t have an induction hob and if we were to replace our gas hob, we wouldn’t be getting one.

[andgrant1]

hi, I would not be overly concerned. I had a pacemaker fitted last year and wear a smart watch and also carry a smartphone. I think it’s just a question of not having it too close to the pacemaker for a prolonged period so i am always conscious not to do that but other than that it’s not a problem. I had my first annual check of the pacemaker and all is functioning fine. I certainly would not worry about the hugging.

[L8Again]

Smart watches and smart devices per se pose no assessed risk to pacemakers UNLESS the device uses Bioimpedance to assess body fat (eg: Fitbit Aria). (Source BHF website). I will leave it to others to opine on whether getting a hug from another person who is wearing such a device could impact a pacemaker/ICD wearer. A pacemaker wearer is probably at a higher risk from a smart device strap if it has magnetic locking.

Many pacemakers and ICDs now have what is known as a Magnet Mode. If the device detects a magnetic influence it will switch to a factory preset pacing rate and inhibit the D in ICD. Once the magnetic influence is removed, the device will revert back to the settings set by the pacing team. The device will not be damaged.

If you are still worried then apply the 6inch rule.

[iansHealth1 in reply to L8Again]

ok, why has nobody bit?

I’ll take one for the team… ‘If you are still worried then apply the 6inch rule.’

I know there can be ‘ooohh Matron’ moments here, but I’m genuinely interested.

PS. I haven’t got an ICD - yet - but I’m on the list and when I do get it, I’ll have to give up work.

Before the heart issues, I was a train driver, now I work on the gateline, but my company won’t allow anyone to work on the front line with an ICD because of the magnetic fields from high voltages.

Not just from the the tracks, but escalators, lift motors and HVAC.

[Knavesmire27]

Thank you all so much for sharing your experiences. Wow, that helps me a lot. Thanks for taking the time to answer my question ☺️

[Kimkat in reply to Knavesmire27]

Just enjoy your Christmas hugs and spending time with the family, for the short time that you’ll be hugging it’s not worth the anxiety ☺️

[Heed06]

I've always looked at pacemakers as a fit and forget device. I'd suggest to not overthink matters and just get on with everyday life the way you'd have done beforehand.

I'm on my third PM and I dare say, come into contact with countless people with smart watches etc over the years.

Best wishes

[Alison_L]

I sleep with my smart watch on, and have never had any problems with my ICD. And I’m an actor, so I’m always hugging fellow thesps, (Darling!), and half of them are wearing smart watches too. In 6 years, the device has never made a peep. Only when I was having radiotherapy and it had to be turned off and on daily for 25 days running! Enjoy your Christmas, and give all the family a big hug to show them you’re still here 😍

[Deejay62]

I’ve got a CRT-D device and I’ve never thought about that. Many of my family wear them and hug me nothing has ever happened. Have a merry Christmas.

[Knavesmire27 in reply to Deejay62]

Such amazing support on this site. You are all so generous with your time and advice. Thank you all so much. Merry Christmas to you all 🎄❤️

[quiltergran in reply to Knavesmire27]

hello, I had a pacemaker fitted 4 years ago. I was given a booklet from Glenfield hospital, Leicester. My advice is keep mobile phones use via your right shoulder, I never go near the microwave, and shop doorways the booklet says not to stand in doorways. I have not had too much trouble over that time, except once when I was in a large garden centre, someone accidentally tried to open a delivery door, and set the alarm off as I was passing, and my pacemaker did not like it, and gave some nasty shocks.If hugging anyone, I got used to just hugging by my right shoulder.Hope that helps.

[Oldsurfdog]

my wife has had one for 4 years and although she wears an apple watch we are both careful to keep it away from the pacemaker same with the phone but its easy to get paranoid. she never goes though the airport sensors and doesn't hang around anti theft devices at shop exits. The watch give her comfort her heart is fine. also Any hugs would presumably be on her right shoulder at the back and the pacemaker is on her left shoulder. ps I hug my wife all the time and shes still her Ha!!😂😂. Ian. just try and enjoy xmas