Pacemakers

[oldballs]

I'm having an Ablation is a few days and there is some talk of needing a Pacemaker at that time. Do any of you know whether one can still use a Chainsaw...Polesaw, Brush cutter....or run vaious gasoline powered equipment like.....Chippers....etc.???

Cheers,
Mike

 

[/pine]

Sorry I can't answer your question but I'm curious what you are having the ablation on?...a microwave ablation I assume ???

 

[MossRoad]

I'm having an Ablation is a few days and there is some talk of needing a Pacemaker at that time. Do any of you know whether one can still use a Chainsaw...Polesaw, Brush cutter....or run vaious gasoline powered equipment like.....Chippers....etc.???

Cheers,
Mike

That would be a question for the cardiologist, I'd guess.

My father in-law had a pacemaker/defibrillator. He ran power equipment. He also used a microwave oven and frequented casinos. All concerns I've heard over the years.

So maybe it depends on the device, purpose, etc.? Again, I'd talk to the Dr.

Good luck to you.

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

your doctor should be the one to advise but I have been told to avoid any type of medium to strong magnetic fields:
- cell phone > 3 watts
- arc welders
- high wattage / volume speakers
- large motors like outboard boat motors and car engines that have magnetic fields.
- headphones playing music need to be kept couple inches away
- MRI machines of course and airport security machines should be avoided.
- Dr. Ho's muscle machines big no/no
- electric blankets
- older microwave ovens
- generators too close
-
etc...

anything with a strong magnetic field. New pacemakers are way better than older ones handling this type of stuff. For sure your doctor will advise if you go this route.
Keeping yourself away from magnetic fields and stuff that generate large electric fields will likely be recommended.

the benefits FAR outway any inconveniences.... you should feel way better after the procedure than before. Good luck!!

I will guess your doctor will say chainsaws, chippers, tractors, are all going to be OK if kept a foot away or more. Arc welders though are likely going to be a no-no depending on what you get and your unique problems.

way more common than avg. joe knows about... lots have them very successfully.

 

[Captain Dirty]

After an episode of Ventricular Tachycardia in 2016 I had an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) implanted. Medtronics, the maker of mine, has a website that lists the hazards. Your device manufacturer will likely have a website too. I suspected that if I asked my Electrophysiologist (doctor whose specialty is electricity in the heart) if I could weld, I would get a knee-jerk NO, so I phrased the question, "If I follow the precautions on Medtronic's website, may I weld?" He got back to me with an affirmative.

The nurse-practitioner that monitors me semi-annually says each generation of new devices is more sophisticated than its predecessors. Remember when people with pacemakers were not supposed to be in the same room as a microwave oven? Let your doctor and the device maker govern.

Best wishes

 

[MapleLeafFarmer]

edit: also there are lots of stuff like special shirts, devices that cover to insertion, etc... so if in high magnetic areas or risk of taking a hockey puck to the chest, etc... you are good to go.... kinda like when dentist puts lead shield over the body when dental x-ray taken but much more portable.

It should only change your life for the better!! and lots of stuff on market to protect the implant and you from interference s of all kinds

 

[oldballs]

Well, "Thanks" you all. It's one thing to Google the subject....one thing to ask one's doctor.....

But it is nice to hear from those that actually have one....or have good info about them.

Sorry I can't answer your question but I'm curious what you are having the ablation on?...a microwave ablation I assume ???

Danged if Iknow.

Cheers,
Mike

 

[MikeFarm]

Hi Mike (oldballs)

I had an RF ablation for SVT earlier this year. Didn't need any implant. The ablation literally burnt away the abnormal electrical pathways that caused the SVT.

In *rare* cases if the ablation goes wrong and the heart is unable to beat normally after the procedure a pacemaker may have to be installed. This is a quite informative site: Atrial Fibrillation Ablation - Melbourne Heart Rhythm
Your Cardiologist is the person for the best and most accurate advice.

I'm sure your procedure will go well. Best wishes from Mike.

 

[oldballs]

Thank You Mike Farm...

That was quite a read and quite helpful.

Cheers,
Mike