Living With Your Pacemaker: Tips And Tricks

If you have a pacemaker, you have a few changes you are going to have to make in your life. While one of the changes is the lack of heart problems you will have, some of the other changes may require you to adjust the way you go about your daily life. Here are some tips that can help.

Other Medical Professionals

Any time you see another medical or dental professional, other than the one who is responsible for your device and therefore knows it is there, you will need to let them know that you have one. There are some tests and procedures that could cause problems with your device, and that in turn would cause problems with your heart. Most medical and dental procedures are completely safe to have with this device in place, but it is important that the provider knows.

Security Checkpoints

You may be concerned about going through security checkpoints, like those at the airport, while using your pacemaker. These devices work with using electromagnetic interference fields. These can, very rarely, disrupt the device. However, the effects are not going to be significant, in most instances. If you simply pass through quickly like you normally would, not stopping while in the metal detector, then you should be able to use them as always without difficulty.

Magnets

Magnets create an electromagnetic field around them. The reality is that it is very rare for a magnetic device to disrupt your heart device. That said, because the risk is there, you should keep any magnets at least six inches away from your device. This is rarely a problem if you just remember to pay attention to magnets.

Changing Doctors

This may seem obvious, but if you should every need to change doctors, you will need to tell the new one about your device. You will need to get your records from your current doctor and have them transferred, in full, to the new one.

Tools

As the proud owner of a new pacemaker, you may be surprised to learn that you have to start paying attention to the types of tools you use. Some power tools create an electromagnetic field that could disrupt your device. Of all of the tools you might use, welders and chain saws have the most likelihood of creating a problem. Talk to your doctor about this if you regularly use these tools, or avoid using them if you do not.

For other tools and devices, maintain a six-inch distance between the implant site and the motor of the too. Always make sure the tools are grounded and are in good working order. You must take precautions to avoid an electrical shock, which could damage your pacemaker. If you have questions or concerns, always take them up with your doctor before using any tools. The last thing you want to have happen is have your device stop functioning while you are working with a tool that could easily kill you or cut off a limb.

By: A Aaronson

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