I am a police officer who just had a pacemaker put in. Still not sure how this is going to affect my job. My doctor has said when I am recovered he will approve me to do everything I did before. I have realized he doesn’t know a whole lot about what my job entails however.

I would love to hear of other officers with pacemakers and how the PM has affected their job, if it has. I am particularly concerned about wearing my radio. I’m fairly small and the radio mike would only be about 3 " from my PM if I wear it as usual on my chest. If I wear it on my shoulder it may be about 9" away.

My department is young and small so I may be setting precedent here. I know I may need to find some examples.

Thanks so much for any input!

BTW, to the firefighter...I have heard of a fire captain that had a full career after getting a PM.

 

 

Is the radio mike separate from the radio itself? If so it is only the radio antenna that radiates energy.

The newer pacemakers are much less susceptible than the older ones to radio frequencies. I've been quit close to fairly large fields with no problem.

frank

 

I can't give you first hand knowledge, but my surgeon once told me he had a police officer patient with a PM that was a "walking the beat" officer. His PM saved his life when someone stabbed him! Can you imagine the shock the robber got when the knife bounced off his chest?

This officer stayed in his "beat" job for more than 20 years getting quite a few commendations for bravery in the line of duty. The PM didn't hold him back at all!

That's my wish for you. That it doesn't stop you from doing anything you want.
I'm not a cop, but I've had a PM for 35 years now and it never stopped me from doing anything I wanted, except skydiving, and I never wanted to do that anyway! LOL

Best to you in your job and thank you for keeping us all safer.

Gellia

 

look under search and type in police officer. this may bring up some mebers who are police and they may be able to share with you their own experience. good luck and welcome. jessie

 

We've had a number of officers over the years here, but they tend to disappear, I assume because they're leading life. From everything they've said in the past mainly, it depends on two factors.
1. Your heart condition - basically if your Cardiologist says okay, you should be fine
2. Department policy - If they don't have a policy, this is a good opportunity for you to help establish one through education as opposed to ignorance. Too often the misperceptions about pace makers drive employment policies.

You might go to the member list, above on the left, and type in occupation police and then private message a few who are listed to get more details.

Good luck

 

I had an ICD put in so the doc would release me back to work aftyer a triple bypass. He thought I'd be riding a desk. I work in a small PD thats always desperate for a warm body. Been back on the streets for over two years, five years after the initial heart attack. Its starting to take a toll on me. I did do some research when I knew it was going in, some FD and PD will allow the pacemaker. Havent found any that would allow the ICD, even my CDL's no good anymore because of it.

 

Thanks so much to everyone who has responded. I go back on light duty Tuesday (have been on since I started passing out in April...took a few procedures to get to the pacemaker).

I see my EP this Wednesday for my 2 weeks after implant check. I am actually feeling pretty good so I am feeling optimistic about work

Laurie