Electromagnetism and your ICD
06.12.11
As a general rule of thumb, almost all electrical equipment is safe for ICD patients to use provided it is kept at a relatively small distance from the ICD unit itself.
Most electronic equipment such as mobile phones and devices that generate radio waves or radio interference should be kept at least 15 centimetres (6 inches) from the ICD.
Electronic equipment used in a professional environment or equipment using large magnets or generating magnetic fields must be avoided by patients with an ICD.
Both the magnetic fields and the EMI (Electromagnetic Interference) in an MRI scanner can interfere with the correct working of the ICD.
Provided below is a list of potential interferences and the precautions you should take when interacting with them to protect your ICD unit.
- Mobile Telephones: in certain cases, a mobile telephone could affect an ICD or pacemaker’s operation if it is closer than 6 inches (15cm) to the implanted cardiac device. This interaction is temporary, and moving the phone away from the implanted cardiac device will return it to proper function.
- Arc Welding Equipment:
- Nintendo Wii and Xbox Kinect:
- Walkie-Talkies and Radio Devices: like the mobile telephones, radio like devices can still affect a pacemaker/ICD's operation.
- Arc Welding Equipment:
- Car Engine Repair: Alternators create magnetic fields, which could potentially deactivate or temporarily inhibit an ICD.
- Lawn mowers
- Leaf blowers
- Running motors and alternators
- Small motor repair
- Snow blowers
- Soldering guns
- CB/police radio antennas
- Remote controls with antennas
- Slot machines
- Stereo speakers
- High-voltage lines
- Radio frequency transmitters
- TV or radio towers
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
- Microwaves built before 1971 Precautions: recommend maintaining at least a 12 inch (30 cm) separation at all times between the motor and your implanted cardiac device.
Precautions: hold the cellular phone on the opposite side of the body from the implanted cardiac device; don’t carry a cellular phone in a breast pocket or on a belt if it places the phone within 6 inches (15 cm) of the implanted cardiac device
Precautions: recommend maintaining at least a 24 inch (61 cm) separation at all times between the cables, arc, transformer, and your implanted cardiac device.
Precautions: For the Nintendo Wii, recommend using the controller/nunchuk in the hand that is on the opposite side of your torso from which your ICD is implanted. Avoid strong thrusts and over-exerting yourself. For the Xbox Kinect system, very little precautions are needed as the system uses motion-capture which is safe for your ICD, but like the Wii, it would be best to avoid over-exertion and to take care when moving your arm on the side where your ICD is fitted.
Precautions: maintain a distance of at least 12 inches (30 cm) between the radio device and the implanted cardiac device; if the device transmits more than 3 watts, increase the distance to a minimum of 12 inches (30 cm).
Precautions: recommend maintaining at least a 24 inch (61 cm) separation at all times between the cables, arc, transformer, and your implanted cardiac device.
Precautions: Recommend maintaining at least a 12-inch (30-cm) separation at all times between the motor and your implanted cardiac device. Avoid leaning directly over the alternator of a running car engine.
