Last but not least: Technical progress puts pacemakers out of step
iPods can be potentially dangerous for pacemakers. This was shown by an initial series of tests on around 100 U.S. patients. In 50 percent of the cases, electrical interference with the implemented pacemaker could be detected when the iPod was held over the chest for a few seconds. In individual cases, the iPod generated interference signals even at a distance of 40 centimeters, which led to incorrect reading of the heart signals.
iPods are potentially dangerous for pacemakers. This is shown by an initial series of tests on around 100 US patients. In 50 percent of the cases, electrical interference with the implemented pacemaker could be detected when the iPod was held over the chest for a few seconds. In isolated cases, the iPod produced interfering signals even at a distance of 40 centimeters, resulting in incorrect reading of the heart signals. Fortunately, according to the 17-year-old initiator of the study, most pacemaker patients are not iPod users. Vienna also gave the all-clear: According to university professor Harald Gabriel, the risk of a pacemaker being completely put out of action by an electronic device was close to zero. According to Gabriel, general technological progress has not stopped at pacemakers. These are now far less susceptible and will switch to an emergency program in the event of a corresponding interference signal. Nevertheless, the following safety measures are indicated: As a guideline for the safe placement of an electronic device in the vicinity of one's own body, physicians give around 20 to 30 centimeters. According to the recommendation of the German Heart Foundation, electrical devices such as MP3 players, as well as cordless and cell phones, can be used without hesitation. The rule for cell phones is that they should not be worn on the pacemaker side and should be used on the side away from the pacemaker when making and switching on calls.
