Good info. It was actually an iWatch that may have saved my bacon. I have a series 6. I knew that I was starting to feel dizzy when getting up at night to use the bathroom. The watch started to give me warnings periodically when my pulse dropped below 40 bpm for more than 10 minutes. Shortly after that I had a blackout, but I knew what must have caused it and saw a cardiologist. Had a pacemaker installed 3 weeks ago.
Will be giving my grandma and old series 1 watch I bought and did not end up enjoying that much and her main concern was if it would affect her device and I appreciate your time and your ability to articulate and problem solve so that we can have good information to give her regarding her fear and possibly health concerns it could cause.
Thank you for this. I am getting an ICD later this month and I have found your videos to be very informative. I have two Apple watches ( long story, lol) and it never occurred to me that they might interfere with the ICD. Good to know they won’t. I love my Apple Watch and use it for many of it’s intended functions (work out tracking, music, notifications, etc.) .
As you said, the magnet as to be strong like those in a speaker before it triggers a response.. the response you will get is, your heartrate will speed up very fast and high rate which may lead to collapsing the heart mussel.
Yes, in most cases the heart rate will speed up in patients with a pacemaker. The good news is that while it may be a bit uncomfortable, it won't damage the heart muscle or cause it to collapse.
Used mine for years and have a St Jude/Abbot ICD. Have to admit I never have it on when I sleep but otherwise it is on my wrist all day and never had an issue. Use it to monitor heart rate while playing hockey (curiosity), and all the other notification stuff.
I use my Apple Watch for the same thing (road cycling and exercise). I also ask my doctor for the download information from my ICD and compare the data between my ICD and Apple Watch. It helps me trust my watch data more.
I was told by an Apple Watch employee that worked with the cardio app he was pretty high up in there tech support and he gave me good info. I worked with him for a few weeks. He let me know when he found out I had the loop that even though it wouldn’t interfere with my loop or an implanted device (my EP’s are okay with Apple watch’s) that wearing the watch with an implanted device (specifically pacemaker/ICD’s) is NOT recommended by Apple as your no longer supposedly going to get accurate readings on there cardio app for the HR. Apparently it interferes with the watches ability to accurately get HR when they ran tests with people with implanted devices; (what I was told). He did say it didn’t specifically mention loop monitors; and I’ve spent like the last 6 months in cardio ICU and it was always totally accurate with tele and my loop.
Yes, I have heard from some patients that wearables like the iWatch, Fitbit and others are sometimes unable to record an accurate heart rate in people are are paced by their pacemaker or pacemaker/defibrillator. Some people who are paced have no problem at all, others report that the wearable is just not able to give an accurate reading. It seems to be different person to person. There should be no issue with a loop recorder, though, as the loop recorder just observes the heart and doesn't deliver any therapy itself. The watch wouldn't have anything to be confused by, so it should give an accurate reading if what you have implanted is an insertable loop recorder.
I'm like 98% paced and I think it is pretty much on the money for slow rates. Mine it set to rest at 50 and the watch gives 50. At high rates I'm not sure. I've had mine say 163 when I think my limit on my Pacer is 150.
thx for your videos, i also look in europe ... one question: in this video it seems you have your ICD implented on the right side ? ... in your seatbelt-video you were talking about the left side, also i have my ICD on the left side ...
Thank you so much for your excellent videos. They are so informative and useful. I am 3 weeks post Medtronic pacemaker implant. I am active and exercise regularly. I don't use an apple watch but I had been using a Polar H9 heart rate sensor . It is attached to an elastic belt that goes around the chest. I am not sure whether it has a magnet or safe to use. Was wondering whether anyone had experience or knowledge of this product (Polar HR sensor) and any possible effect on a pacemaker.
What I've always wondered about was if a magnet on a backpack have any impact on my device. I sort of doubt it would, but just to be safe, I've always steered clear of bags that do have magnets.
If the magnet is resting on the skin right on top of the device, then yes. But if it’s even a few inches away, like on any part of the backpack other than the shoulder strap directly over the device, it wouldn’t be strong enough or close enough to cause a problem. I hope that helps.
Speaking of magnets I have a cpac with magnets attached to the Headwear- I have had the 10 second alarm go off a few times- recently I have been super careful and that seems to work
My dad has this magnet cpap strap as well. What we did was glue the magnets together on that one side of the head-strap so they are permanently stuck together. Makes the strap a little more cumbersome to put on but worth it because that is the best mask for him and they don't make an alternative strap for it. Still wary of getting him the Apple watch though.
Hi Pam, yes, my ICD is on the right side of my body. I have an anatomical anomaly called persistent left superior vena cava, which means some of the leads leading into my heart are flipped. Because of that it was easier to implant my device on my right side.
I am worried about the electrodes on the back of the watch. Won't the electric currents affect the functionality of the device. It is an ICD-CRT used to synchronise the heart beats in the left and right valve... Same applies for all devices with heart rate monitors and smart bathroom scales...
Hi Alexandru, the amount of electricity an iWatch (or other wearable) puts out is not high enough to affect our implanted devices. Same goes with other heart rate monitors. Smart scales that connect to smart phones are okay too. The scales med-tech companies recommend we avoid are the ones that measure BMI through electrical impulses. Otherwise, we’re safe to use most items you find in our homes. If you have any specific questions Google the name of your medical device manufacturer and the words “electromagnetic compatibility guide”. This will direct you to a document where your device company will list any items where precautions should be taken.
Another great video and im wondering if this also applies to a wireless charging pad for a phone which is about 3 inches round and or ear buds of any kind. Thanks again.
Hi Shelton, thanks for watching! It seems some of the charging stations have magnets that are stronger that the magnets inside the watch or iPhone. Plus they emit low levels of EMI as well, so it's a good idea to keep the charging pads at least 6 inches away from our implanted devices. Ear buds don't present a problem, but the med-tech companies do recommend that we not hang ear buds around our necks, or place them in a shirt pocket directly over our devices.
@@DouglasRachac Great stuff Douglas, thanks a million and I really can't say that you missed your calling because you are right where God wants you to be. This platform can reach millions and that is so important. Thanks again. Shelton
It won't if you wear the mask properly. At that point the magnets are too far away to interact with your device. However, one of the mask companies issued a recall not too long ago because they felt the magnets could interere. Again, they're too far away to impact your own device, but if you sleep in a bed with someone who has a device its slightly more likely to be an issue. Still not terribly likely, but if you were to lay your head (and therefore your CPAP mask) on the chest of a person with a device there's a chance of an interaction happening. Its just something to be aware of.
Hi there! I just received a new defibrillator pacemaker (biventricular?) My Dad bought me the new Samsung Galaxy watch.. is this safe for me to use? Im very dependent on my devices. I'm also on LVAD for end heart failure.
Hi Jessica, thanks for watching. Samsung watches are safe to use. The only watch feature the med-tech companies recommend we not use is one that measures a body mass index much like a BMI scale, by sending electrical impulses through your body. Other than that, watch biometric features are safe to use with implanted devices. I hope that helps.
What about the stainless steel Apple watch bands? I am considering getting one, but in the description (on Apple website), it says it is "fully magnetized" - do you have any info on that?
Hi Beth, thanks for watching! If the strap contains a magnet or is “magnetized” the medical device companies recommend avoiding those watch straps. Otherwise, using a smart watch is safe for device patients. I hope that helps.
Isn't an ICD supposed to be placed near the heart? You're moving the watch across the right side of your chest? As far as I'm aware that's not where the heart is located.
Most devices are placed on the left side of the chest, as in this image: images.app.goo.gl/3EgChjMu8Wm6kDgS6. Mine is placed on my right side, under the skin where I place my iWatch.
@@DouglasRachac Thanks for clearing that up. Appreciated. Thinking of getting my mother an Apple watch and a new iPhone but just worried about any interference with her ICD.
Hi Samuel, the leads and device can certainly handle a sauna, but your heart condition may not allow it. You need to speak with your doctor to ask if your heart can handle the higher heat of a sauna. If so, your device and leads will be perfectly safe, protected by your body.
Hi Chuck, the medical device companies recommend a 6 inch distance between your iPhone and your device. if you're using is normally that shouldn't be a problem. One recommendation is that you not place your iPhone in your breast pocket. Other than that, there's really no concerns with using one.
