Is radiation harmful to my pacemaker function?

In my opinion, the immediate answer is no. However, one needs to be careful about the risk of litigation and being sued in our present society. Therefore, there are many warnings about the risk of interference caused by radiation emitting devices such as radar, metal detectors, cellular phones, high voltage transformers etc.

I believe it is a question of how strong the level of radiation is where your pacemaker is located. This depends on the strength of the source of radiation and the distance your pacemaker is from it. For example, a high voltage transformer down the street may be ok but if you were an electrician standing next to it, your pacemaker may malfunction.

Modern day pacemakers are able to withstand large doses of radiation without malfunction. Most levels of radiation encountered in everyday living can be tolerated safely. The reason for this is simply that if a manufacturer produced pacemakers that malfunctioned in everyday life situations the company would soon be out of business.

Finally, there is one safety feature: when a pacemaker malfunctions, it safely reverts to "fixed rate pacing." This means that it should continue to pace your heart.

If you have any concerns, we can check your pacemaker and offer further advice. Contact us.

How often should my pacemaker be checked?

Most pacemakers should be checked every 6 - 12 months and more often if there is a problem. Among other things, this will determine if the battery needs to be replaced. Please contact us if you require a pacemaker check.

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