More China advice

Hi!
I got quite a few helpful responses on my question about my PM pacing while in China. I was able to get to Shanghai to have it interrogated by a licensed Medtronic rep (my PM is Medtronic) and found it to be pacing a little more than usual (only to confirm my suspicions). I was sent back with a "good luck" after asking if it was safe and getting a "Well, it depends on the kind of electrical field forcing it to pace." Two weeks later, I'm still unable to find out what kind of electricity is coming from the tower at my apartment which I feel is making the PM pace. To me, however, it doesn't matter. The bottom line is my PM is pacing more often than necessary due to outside forces. Does anyone know what kind of long term effects this might have on my PM or my heart? I understand the battery would probably have to be replaced sooner, but other than that...is this something that I should consider moving or leaving the country? I'm very concerned about my health. My 13-year-old daughter is also living here with me and it would be awful if something happened to me while here.
Thanks for your help and thoughts.
Tracie

2 Comments

China advice

by Vai - 2009-10-02 01:10:20

I have been in China (residing in Beijing) for the past 2 years+ and have not experienced what you described. I have a Medtronics Enrythm since 2006. I have worked and lived in apartments in Beijing with those telecommunications towers, and daily walked past huge satellite dishes commonly installed in the compound of apartment blocks in Beijing.
On another note, I have also visited several telecommunications towers around Asia (one of those tourist's things to do), and I have never felt my PM being affected.
I am atrial paced 93% of the time, so I guess I would feel it if anything affects the PM.
I remember reading about the PM being shielded such that it is not affected by electrical force field from telecommunications towers.
Your experience is interesting and if you do find out the reason, please post and share the knowledge.
I suggest you go to a suburban area or take a country side trip and see if the "faster" pacing goes away.
It may be useful to define what is pacing more than usual means. I don't mean to pry but there is just so much possibilities and probable reasons.
Another possibility to consider is the type of medicinal products in China or even Chinese tea. I have experienced at least 2 types of Chinese tea that sent my HR racing - I think it is the caffiene in the tea.
Sorry over long comment. Just trying to help.




Good thoughts

by Tracie - 2009-10-02 08:10:01

Val - Thanks for the thoughts. When I was in Beijing and Pingyau, nothing happened. No pacing. I sincerely think it's this tower here in Luoyang. I feel it's an older tower, as well things are not as regulated here as they are in Beijing or Shanghai. While we are a big city, we are also far away from other big cities. I'm not drinking any tea and the pacing happens everyday at the same time making me think there's some kind of power surge at that time of day. I have also looked at research with radio frequency and PMs which shows large amounts of RF can affect pacing (this is why it's suggested PM wearers use their cell phone on the opposite side of the PM).

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