Leads and Physics

Hi guys!

So, my leads are now 20 years old. I'm on my second PM, and a mere 30 years old. :)

I don't know a lot about electricity or physics, but what I'm wondering is are the leads more susceptible to electromagnetic interference as they get older? I know house wiring wears out, its the same thing?

Basically, I've been noticing lately that I feel crappy when I'm driving, I'm wondering if my cars electronics are starting to affect me. Is there anyway to measure the magnetic fields being given off by the stuff around me?

Thoughts anyone?
EB.

5 Comments

Strange Happenings

by SMITTY - 2011-05-13 01:05:27

Hello EB,

I agree with Tracey, if the EMF from the electronics of a vehicle were going to bother anything it would be the pacemaker, not the leads. Now with that said, it is strange that this problem only occurs when you are driving. A few days ago there was a firm advertising a device here that could measure EMF. I don't see it today but I was impressed with its simplicity and low cost and if you are interested check with Admin. I'm sure they can tell you how to contact the people.

It is true that the leads can lose their ability to conduct the electrical impulses from the pacemaker to the heart with age, but unless one of them breaks, or comes lose, that would be detected during a PM checkup. That is unless you are PM dependant and in which case you would know something was wrong. It is really the same old story, when think we have a problem with our PM, usually the best source of an answer is the Dr. (unless they tell you your PM is working fine and is not causing your problem in which case you come here and ask your question)

Good luck,

Smitty

driving

by sarge - 2011-05-13 01:05:47

Hello EB, I dont have an answer about the leads, but you mentioned you feel crappy while driving, one question that comes to mind is are you close to car stereo speakers? I don't mean the little ones in the car door. I mean a large system that has large magnets? Just a thought.

Some pacemakers have an activity sensor

by Terry - 2011-05-13 03:05:08

Could it be that your heart rate goes up due to sensed "activity" during driving even to you are sitting?

Is you heart tired of excessive pacing in the ventricles (paced most of the time)? If so, check this out:

http://PacemakerPatientAdvocacy.com

Terry

check out your car for magnets

by Hot Heart - 2011-05-13 03:05:23

Hi! I think that there are even magnets in some car seats now. I was in my daughters car and felt a bit strange, I was driving and only went half a mile up the road. When I got back discovered that the seat cover I was sitting on contained magnets. Belted her over the head with it! lol

don't think so

by Tracey_E - 2011-05-13 11:05:59

Fields would affect the pm itself, not the leads. I think, that's just a guess. When leads go bad, they stop pacing and they can tell right away when they check the device.

You know you're wired when...

You have a dymo-powered bike.

Member Quotes

My ICD/pacer is not a burden. I still play tennis and golf.