pacemakers

Hi, I was just informed by my Dr. that I will need a pacemaker. I am having trouble finding out if playing music every weekend in a five piece band, will affect the pacemaker.Seems no one knows if the amplifiers and speakers will send signals to the pacemaker. If there are any muscians out there wearing a pacemaker, please let me know your experiences with this. Thanks

5 Comments

Dont worry mate

by pete - 2009-09-09 01:09:29

You will be fine. However you should not carry those speakers. The magnets in them will be fine so long as you keep them a sort distance away from your pacemaker. 6 inches is usually enough but if the speakers are massive then a foot might be necessary. The effect anyway would only be temporary whilst you were too close. I handle powerful magnets and they dont worry me, Cheers Peter

Hello

by pacergirl - 2009-09-09 08:09:09

I know that there are a number of Rock 'N Roll musicians who have a pacemaker. There is an listing to the left of this window "Famous Members" click on it and you will find a number of people listed there that have pacemakers.

You are in great company, welcome.
pacergirl

problems in front of speakers

by golden_snitch - 2009-09-09 09:09:15

Hi!

All I can say is that I always feel bad when standing too close to the big speakers at concerts. I was told that those have quite strong magnets inside. But it might just as well be the sound "waves" that make me feel miserable. Do you know the Blue Man Group? I once saw them open-air, and that was really bad. Afterwards heard that heart patients should not go to their shows.

However, I do believe that there are musicians who have no problems at all. And when on stage you normally do not stand in front of the speakers, I would say.

Hope you'll get some more answers, probably by other musicians,

Best wishes
Inga

Music Making and Pacemakers

by SMITTY - 2009-09-09 10:09:56

I can tell you what I have heard about pacemakers when in close proximity of loud music. You did not say whether or not your band is one that makes loud music, but I will assume it does.

The bigger the speakers, usually the bigger the magnet inside, A strong magnet can change the operating mode of your pacemaker. You will become acquainted with this fact when you have a pacemaker checkup as they place a magnet over the pacemaker to allow them to make adjustments to the settings. As you will see when the magnet is removed your pacemaker goes back to operating in normal mode. The same thing will apply with the magnets in a speaker. If you notice an unusual or strange feeling with your pacemaker, move away (three to six feet should be enough) from the speaker and the PM should return to normal operating mode with no damage done . If the strange or different felling continues you will have to see your doctor and have them reestablish the normal settings. In either case it is most unlikely any permanent damage will be done to your pacemaker.

One other item about the speakers. If they are very loud to the point you can feel the vibrations, and your pacemaker has a rate response that is turned on, those vibrations may be interpreted by the PM as body movement from exercise and increase your heart rate. I mention this so you will know the increased heart rate is from the rate response being activated and not that pretty little girl sitting in the front row. The rate response can be adjusted some or for many of us where our heart rate increases on its own with exercise, the rate response is turned off.

As for the amplifiers, I can't think of any reason one would affect your pacemaker unless you were practically draped over one. But it is possible for the amp to produce an electromagnetic field strong enough to affect your pacemaker and in that case, as with the speakers, move away from it if you feel a change in your pacemaker operation.

If I could offer one piece of advice that would be to get your pacemaker and tell your doctor about being in a band (this info may have an impact on the initial settings he will make for your pacemaker). Then go about your merry way and never think about the pacemaker being adversely affected by the music or equipment. As mentioned above should any changes to the PM take place you will know it but they are not going to be fatal, and at the most they will be uncomfortable.

Good luck and enjoy your music making and the pacemaker.

Smitty

Rock chick @ 56 lol

by Hot Heart - 2009-09-11 03:09:37

Hi there!

Got my pm 11 months ago and saw on here that there was a chance that real big speakers might affect it. I go to loads of tribute concerts in fairly small venues where there are big speakers close to the audience. At first I stayed at the back, but over the months sort of forgotten my pm is there and gradually moved closer and closer to the front.. Completely frogot about this until I saw your post. I have been at concerts last few weekends dancing right at the front by the speakers, absolutely no problem whatsoever; that doesnt mean that it might not affect another person though.

I've had no problems at all other than in the Roman Baths in Bath, where they have one of those systems where you wear a radio and listen to a commentary as you go round. Felt really really strange and went straight out.

I wear prison radio equipment on a regular basis and this has never affected me.

HEY SMITTY!! RE RATE RESPONSE, IS THAT WHY I DANCE FASTER AND FASTER THE LOUDER AND MORE WILD THE MUSIC GETS???? LOL

You know you're wired when...

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