[TheForge] Electric welding and pacemakers

[Charles]

 Ten years ago I had a severe heart attack that significantly damaged my heart.   I had a pacemaker (actually an ICD) installed a couple of years ago as once in a while the Dr thought I was experience atrial fibrillation added to the fact that due to the damage, there is always a chance my heart could just stop.  I got the same warnings, as well as to avoid standing to close to generators, alternators, etc.  The one I got was MRI safe, as well as metal detector safe, so the warnings seemed odd to me.  I have mostly ignored them and have continued mig/tig and arc welding, working on generators and living my life the same way.  If I get close to a strong magnetic field my unit will start emiting a tone.   This is because the way they disable the unit for surgery is to place a magnet over it.  So basically, if I get near a strong magnet it could disable the unit.   I am regularly backpacking mountains, welding, smithing and I work in power plants.  My Dr connects to my device remotely on a regular basis and dumps a report.  So far no issues from all of my contraindicated activities.  It barely ever kicks in, like once every three months or so some light pacing.   Make your own decisions, but if you get an MRI safe unit you should be fine,
Charles
    On Monday, October 6, 2025 at 09:43:09 PM CDT, Bruce <freemab222 at gmail.com> wrote:  
 
 I have no direct knowledge on the subject, but it is commonly known that
electric arcs emit broadband electromagnetic radiation.  An Internet search
turns up any number of articles on pacemakers vs. arc welding, but some
suggest that limiting amps or using DC only might reduce the risk -- but
don't quote me.

It wouldn't surprise me if effective shielding were possible to prevent
adverse effects, but aside from using a metal box -- a Faraday cage --
around the workpiece (or around yourself!), I couldn't suggest how to
accomplish this.

Of course, acetylene welding would not affect a pacemaker at all.

Bruce
NJ


On Mon, Oct 6, 2025 at 3:48 PM Jim Smith <jwmsmith64 at att.net> wrote:

> My cardiologist says I need a pacemaker.  When my father in law got one he
> was told he couldn’t use his stick welder anymore.  I think some may now be
> shielded from electromagnetic radiation.  Anyone have experience with this?
>
> Jim Smith
> Sent from my iPad
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