Patient was educated on precautions to take while using pacemaker as follows:
- Airport Metal Detectors
- Carry an ID card that indicates your status of having a pacemaker.
- Usually metal detectors are safe for pacemaker. But, since there is some metal in the pacemaker, be sure to let the security staff at the airport know that you have a pacemaker inserted.
- Inform any security screeners to avoid holding the metal detector over the pacemaker site for more than 2 seconds. These devices have magnets in them, which can affect the programming of the battery and thereby, overall function of the pacemaker.
- Cell Phones
Cell phones in the U.S. with less than 3 watts of output do not seem to affect pacemakers or the pulse generator, but as a precaution, cell phones should be kept at least 6 inches away from your pacemaker. Avoid carrying a cell phone in your breast pocket over your pacemaker.
