Pacemakers are highly sensitive pieces of technology capable of granting a second life for people with heart problems. However, patients living with a pacemaker are reportedly afraid of occasional malfunctions. A slight hiccup in the system – broken wiring, battery depletion or electromagnetic interference – may very well lead to catastrophic consequences. That’s why people are extra cautious around electronic devices, raising the question: is it safe to use a medical alert system while having a pacemaker? A delicate matter indeed, since the other fear of patients with heart problems is collapsing to the ground, unable to call for help. Yet this is the issue that brought medical alert systems to life. For those feeling anxious about opting for such a system, let us explain whether or not the two go together like peanut butter and jelly.
Short answer: no. Or, at least, they are not supposed to. Medical alert companies claim that their products don’t cause interference, since the hardware doesn’t include magnetic components. Companies like Lifeline also emphasize the peace of mind granted by their personal emergency systems, however, even they suggest calling your doctor and pacemaker manufacturer in order to inquire about whether or not the device is susceptible to RF emissions consistent with the frequency used by medical alert systems. The same could be said about fall detection technology, too. Fall detection pendants are advanced versions of the classic help buttons, housing several gyroscopes and accelerators. This might pose additional danger, so we highly recommend contacting the customer support of your medical alert system provider before committing yourself.
If you’ve experienced heart failure then you know that it could happen a second time. It starts by feeling dizzy, having trouble with breathing, and an immense chest pain. Then your heart rate rapidly starts increasing, and you only have a brief window to receive help. During such an emergency, every second counts. The medical alert button can be pushed effortlessly and you don’t even need to explain the situation to the operator. They have your medical history on file and not receiving a reply will prompt them to assume that the situation is serious so they will immediately call the ambulance. There is the aforementioned fall detection pendant that signals for help automatically, even if the wearer is unable to press a button.
A medical alert system is an extra safety net that is just as important for protecting your life as the pacemaker itself, so don’t be afraid to use it. They grant people with heart problems a chance to live a full and rich life.
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