leads affected by airbag?

Hi all,

Last week I was involved in a car accident where my airbag deployed. I have some bruising across my chest so I scheduled a check-up with my cardiologist to make sure that the PM and leads are all okay, but the appointment hasn't happened yet. I'm curious if anyone else has been in this situation before.

Thanks,
Michelle

3 Comments

Airbags & Pacemakers

by SMITTY - 2007-07-02 02:07:10

Hello Michelle,

Sometime ago I read an article on various tests conducted by one of the government agencies. One of the tests was to determine the effects of an airbag on a pacemaker. The conclusion was that it would not have an adverse effect on the pacemaker.

Their reasoning was that the impact area of an airbag is the entire chest area and the force is not concentrated in any one area so it would not be enough of an impact to effect the pacemaker. The article went on to say that there was a higher risk of harm during an accident to a pacemaker from a seat belt than from the airbag.

Now, for my disclaimer. I have never had an airbag deploy in my face and I’ve never had an accident where the seat belt restrained me. So, I have no first hand experience on which I can rely.

Smitty

update

by chelleeann - 2007-07-04 02:07:18

Thanks, Cathryn & Smitty. I'm always relieved to read such caring and reassuring responses...I'm grateful this site brings everyone together.

So, I went to the cardiologist for an echo and everything looked fine--leads are just where they should be. There's still a chance that a lead could be fractured but chances are very, very slim. They'll check the leads again at my next PM check in a month or so. I pace less than 1% of the time and it's not life-threatening if I don't pace, so it's not too urgent.

Other accident details--I broke a bone in my hand (my right one, of course!) and am sporting a purple cast, nobody else was injured, and my car was totaled...mostly because of its old age. All in all, it could have been so much worse.

Thank you again for your responses & Happy 4th,
Michelle

My Accident dec. 17Th 2012

by Lizr - 2013-01-19 12:01:38

I am still recovering from my accident. I just saw my PM Doctor yesterday. Not by my choice would have liked to have seen him sooner and even told the staff in the office I was in an accident.
Well my battery is now slow and my leads need checking...I had my PM put in about 2 1/2 years ago.
The doctor will not admit it is the accident...Drs. do not want to really get involved in accident cases ..in case they get calle dinto court ..they miss time away from important patients. Anyway my surgery is ASAP when my primary gives me a physical. I have to have this done and do not want to get involved with insurance either...that has been a real pain. When you hurt...the insurance agencies on both side want so much info. I just want to be better and healthy again.
I was hit real hard in teh chest with the airbag. Chest bruised. Bruised ribs and burns from airbag on arms,face and wrist. Seatbelt caused unsightly bruising where ever it was located. BUT I AM ALIVE..a man ran a red ligt going 50 and I was just crossing the intersection... did not even see him coming in my line of vision.
Please everyone be careful out there driving. Red lights do not mean people will stop.
P.S. The emergency room said I only had contusions and did not check my PM...just to see my primary..who would not see me becaus eshe does not do accident cases. I got a lawyer and he sent me to a dr. who also did not check me at all for 3 appts. Never asked how I was feeling.....just wanted me to sign forms for him to get more money...I now have a new Dr. for this accident case for after my PM surgery. Accidents are not easy to get through in many ways.

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My pacemaker is intact and working great.