[Boatanchors] slightly off topic (pacemakers)

[D C _Mac_ Macdonald]

I'm approaching the end of life of my first pacemaker,  
a Guidant 1290 (now Boston Scientific) installed in 
April 2006.  It actually gets very little actual use for 
kicking my heart to beat, but they are transceivers 
that operate in the receive mode 24/7. 
 
I was advised to stay clear of high power magnetrons 
that were operating and automotive generators and 
alternators in operation.  The first applied because I 
worked at an FAA depot overhaul facility and the RADAR 
maintenance section adjoined our shop.  I stayed away 
from that area in general, but asked the status of any 
transmitters if I actually needed to go there. 
 
I seriously doubt that there is a problem with automotive 
generators/alternators with current pacemakers. 
 
As Al said, check with the manufacturer of your device 
or even better, investigate BEFORE your surgeon chooses 
and installs a device. 

 

> Date: Thu, 25 Oct 2012 09:55:42 -0400
> From: anchor at ec.rr.com
> To: tchesek at epix.net
> CC: boatanchors at mailman.qth.net
> Subject: Re: [Boatanchors] slightly off topic (pacemakers)
> 
> Hi Tom,
> I have considerable experience with the defibrillator/pacemaker. I'm 
> presently nearing the end of life of my 3rd one. There has been some 
> discussion before on this or another BA list, and Joel Hallas, W1ZR, the 
> QST Tech Ed., had a shirt article in QST a few yrs ago, IIRC. I believe 
> I contacted him to point out a discrepancy or 2.
> The best advice, in short, is to contact the technical people at the 
> manufacturer of the device. Ask your physician which mfgr(s) he uses or 
> recommends. They will be glad to talk with you, answer 
> questions/concerns, etc. I have done that more than once. My mfgr, 
> Medtronic, told me that with only a few exceptions, the old 
> concerns/wives tales are not, or at least no longer, a worry.
> I'd be happy to give you more details privately, I'm not sure it's too 
> appropriate to do that thru the list.
> 73,
> 
> Al, W8UT
> www.boatanchors.org
> www.hammarlund.info
> 
> "There is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much
> worth doing as simply messing about in boats"
> Ratty, to Mole
> 
> On 10/25/2012 7:14 AM, Tom Chesek wrote:
> > I have atrial fibrillation and was told in the past that at some point I would need a pacemaker due to very slow heart rates. Medication takes care of the fast rates. Does anyone on this list have experience in this area? Has you doctor told you to keep clear of electromagnetic waves, specifically radio waves? My friend has a defibrillator and has been cautioned about things such as leaning over a running automobile engine, etc. due to electromagnetic fields but he is not a ham and did not pursue the conversation in with regards to anything else.
> >
> > Thanks,
> > Tom K3TVC