Study Finds Smartphones Pose a Risk To Pacemaker Wearers

A recently presented study found that pacemakers must be kept away from smartphones, at least a few inches distance if users do not want to risk unwanted pauses.

European testing led to a report presented at EHRA Europace-Cardiosorm 2015 which concluded that there is a risk of malfunction in pacemakers if users keep smartphones too close to the cardiac devices.

Dr Carsten Lennerz a cardiology resident from the German Heart Center gave arguments in his presentation against proximity usage between smartphones and pacemakers.

Out of the entire batch of subjects 161 had ICD’s, 147 had pacemakers and 65 CRT’s.

The research was based on testing of 308 patients that put the FDA regulations through their pace. The FDA recommends 15-20 cm of space between the two devices.

Out of the entire batch of subjects 161 had ICD’s, 147 had pacemakers and 65 CRT’s.

One patient with an MRI compatible device experienced an incident where the ICD detected GSM signals from certain phones as inter-cardiac signals.

Dr. Carsten Lennerz stated that “Pacemakers can mistakenly detect electromagnetic interference (EMI) from smartphones as a cardiac signal, causing them to briefly stop working.”

He also stated that this could lead to a pause in the cardiac rhythm with patients depending on the technology being vulnerable to syncope.

Syncope is a partial or complete loss of consciousness that can also be experienced as unawareness of self or surroundings. Such interruptions in self awareness are highly dangerous and can cause fatality if the patient is driving or engaging in other activities like mountain climbing .

Cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) implanted i  the patient can mistake the signal from the smartphone as a life-threatening ventricular tachyarrhythmia.

If such signal mistakes occur than it is entirely possible that the implanted  ICD might deliver deliver a painful shock to the patient.

The research was based on testing of 308 patients that put the FDA regulations through their pace. The FDA recommends 15-20 cm of space between the two devices.

Out of the entire batch of subjects 161 had ICD’s, 147 had pacemakers and 65 CRT’s.

Initial testing between GSM signals and pacemakers started 10 years ago, with some organizations doing independent research.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration along with some of the phone producers have recommended a distance of 15 to 20 centimeters between the users pacemakers and any GSM signal emitting device.

But this was 10 years ago, now with smarphones more powerful that 2005 desktop computers new additional testing is necessary.

However it is reported that as long as the phone is used on the other side of the heart and held at more than 30 cm distance, problems should not occur.

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