Cell Phones

Location...

by R2D2 - 2023-12-14 22:27:42

I keep mine in my right breast jacket pocket. Although, there is very little proof that cellphones actually DO interfere with the newer pacemakers, and if they are going to, you would probably feel it. My ICD actually beeps if there is anything interfering with it. 

Faraday Bag

by ANDREW75 - 2023-12-15 01:47:04

Faraday bag perhaps:

RF/EMI Shielded Pouches | Select Fabricators (select-fabricators.com)

Andrew

cell phone in pocket

by new to pace.... - 2023-12-15 08:33:37

Just to be safe and save some money.  Use it in another pocket no worries then.

new to pace

cell phones

by Tracey_E - 2023-12-15 09:11:33

Have you put one in your left pocket? Some doctors don't even give that warning. I've been known to tuck my phone in my sports bra- aka right over my pacer- during runs. No issues. Newer pacers are well shielded and very little interferes with them.

In the unlikely event it does interfere, it will stop as soon as youmove the phone and it won't do any harm. Then you'll know. If you are uncomfortable trying it on your own, do it on your next check. They can tell immediately if it's interfering. 

YMMV, of course. This is just my personal opinion, so take it with a grain of salt. People tend to be afraid of magnets, but way back in 1994 when I got my first pacer, they sent me home from the hospital with a big magnet. If the pacer ever malfunctioned, I was to put the magnet over it, which puts it in test mode, until I could get to my doctor. That never happened, and now they don't send us home with magnets. But that's why magnets don't scare me. Magnets don't turn it off or kill the programming, they just cause a temporary mode switch. 

Cell Phone Interference & Safety

by ANDREW75 - 2023-12-15 17:51:36

Hi Stev7moor.

Hi, in my career I had the experience helping to design EMI / RFI testing chambers. So when I had my pacemaker I looked up all the specs from Biotroniks.

Electromagnetic Interference Guide.pdf (biotronik.com)

I happen to have the same device as you. Edora 8 DR-T. ( They must have been on sale in S. California!). I live in Newbury Park and had mine also a about 10 weeks ago.

I was pleased to read:

“However, there is no need to worry about permanent damage to the implanted device. It will be fully functional again as soon as the distance from the source of interference increases or the source is turned off.”

From their guide you can see Mobile phones/Smartphones are stated as:

“Interference with the implanted device unlikely at the specified distance of 6 inches.”

For this reason I am not chancing my top pocket or left ear. This is somewhat annoying since this is my best hearing ear, and this fact is one of the delights of getting old. I badly need a hearing aid, but I already have too many accessories when leaving the house. Keys, Cell phone, Wallet, and three pairs of glasses, two prescription and one sun. Add to this a bottle of water to keep my aging body hydrated and I’m all set. A hearing aid isn't getting a lookin so to speak.

I have noticed Biottronick’s has really good documentation.

Andrew