The pacemaker actually limits the patient a little. Yes, there are rules to follow, but few and easy to remember. What should I avoid if I have a pacemaker (pacemaker)?
The pacemakermakes it necessary to visit the cardiologist regularly (every 6-12 months) and remember to replace the battery every 4-7 years (it depends on how intensively the device works). After a pacemaker is implanted, you can work, travel, drive, have sex, walk and even run. Restrictions are relatively small.
Pacemaker: restrictions
- Medical treatments
Always inform physicians that you have a pacemaker. Some treatments can be performed with precautionary measures (e.g. X-ray), while others are not recommended at all (e.g., magnetic resonance imaging, diathermy).
- Physical activity
Do not engage in contact sports or sports that risk falling and injure the pacemaker area, e.g. skiing, playing football.
- Travel
At airports, report to checkpoints that you have an implanted pacemaker, show its identification card (always carry it with you). The safety gate will not interfere with the operation of the unit if you walk through it as normal, but an alarm may sound. If handheld metal detectors are used by the airport staff, ask not to bring them closer to the heart area.
- Anti-theft gates
They shouldn't turn on the alarm. Walk through them at a normal pace, do not stop near them.
- Mobile phone
You can use it, but do not wear it near your heart (e.g. in your pocket), and hold the hearing aid to your ear on the opposite side of your body to the pacemaker during the conversation (this also applies to ordinary wired phones, headphones) .
- Office and household equipment
The stimulators have safeguards that protect them against the electromagnetic field generated by these devices. For some, however, you need to keep a minimum distance from the pacemaker: 15 cm for electric toothbrushesteeth, hair dryers, stereo speakers, 60 cm - if you use an induction hob.
- Other devices
You should, among others avoid certain industrial devices (chainsaws, welding equipment), keep a suitable distance from radio transmitter antennas (e.g. marine radios, shortwave radios), radio masts, transformers.
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