Keep Cellphones, Smartwatches Away From Pacemakers
FDA Pacemaker Warning Keep Cellphones Smartwatches Away From Chest
Magnets inside phones and watches could cause implanted heart regulators to malfunction
Getty Images The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a about magnets in cellphones and smartwatches that could cause the devices to malfunction. Though the agency stressed that the risk to patients is low, it said there is potential for the phones or watches to cause pacemakers — the small defibrillators implanted in the chest that keep the heart at a normal rhythm — to switch to “magnet mode” and thus be unable to detect and adjust irregular heartbeats. The implantable medical devices are equipped with a magnet mode to temporarily halt normal operations when exposed to a magnet to allow for tests such as MRI scans to be safely conducted. When a pacemaker stops functioning and can't, say, deliver shocks to the heart when in distress, the FDA warned, the patient could experience dizziness, lose consciousness or even die. Join today and save 25% off the standard annual rate. Get instant access to discounts, programs, services, and the information you need to benefit every area of your life. There have been no reports of actual malfunctions. But the threat is real, even if minor, the FDA stressed. The agency cited a study from the Henry Ford Health System, published earlier this year, that found that magnets in Apple's iPhone 12 might be able to deactivate certain implantable cardiac devices. , on March 29, about the risks that magnets inside its iPhone 12 models pose to people with certain medical devices, including pacemakers. The FDA advised consumers to take the following precautions: Keep consumer electronics 6 inches away from implanted medical devices. Don't carry electronics in a pocket over a medical device. If you have a home monitoring system linked to your pacemaker, check it. Inform your doctor or other health care provider if you are experiencing irregular or quick heartbeats or if you have questions about the possible effect of consumer electronics magnets on implanted devices. More on Heart Health
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