Pacemakers vs Woodworking

[Canuck]

A little over two years ago I had 5 stents added to the old ticker. As a result of a recent cardiac cath, they discovered the left side heart muscle was a little "tight" resulting in variances in my heart beat. I am scheduled for another echocardiogram in August. It has been suggested that I may need a pacemaker.

I have read that there are quite a few precautions around power tools that I may have to be careful with. (I understand some of the obvious - airport security, MRI etc., but heard of issues around routers, sanders, planers, .tablesaw also an issue. Is this true.

Just asking here if there is anyone else in our community faced with the same issue.

Would hate to have to surrender all my tools and hobby.

Just asking.

TIA

Wayne

 

[wndopdlr]

My wife has a pacemaker and I asked the Md the same question. He said not to worry. I would strongly suggest that you not accept the opinion of anyone here, but consult your cardiologist.

 

[JCraig]

I have a pacemaker and use sanders. routers and every other power tool in the shop. I also asked by cardiologist the same question and got the same answer.
"No tools should bother the pacemaker."

 

[demondeacon]

Me too. None of our typical power tools create ionizing radiation or a large magnetic field. I have been working with all of these tools for two years since my implant.

 

[Rick_B]

I am a new member of the pace maker / defibullator club (4 weeks ago). I had/have the same questions. The booklet I received indicated that motors under 400 HP should be kept 24" from the device. As we all know - induction motors use a magnetic field to run. The only tool I can think of that might be a problem is the RA. I will be following up with the Doc to verify my conclusions.

BTW - it seems some things that may interfere with the device but it is generally a matter of keeping a distance between the item and your device - typically 6". The only thing I have been told to avoid is welding - which I don't do.

I agree with the above - consult the Doc but don't let your concerns keep you from proceeding with an effective cardiac solution.

 

[Oka]

Consult a doctor on this.

But, my understanding is arc welders and certain elec generators can pose risk due to they make larger magnetic fields (Gauss). It also depends on the pace makers use and intent, some only occasionally get employed when it recognizes a random heart arrhythmia. Others are keeping the heart beating stable all the time.

Most other regular machines aren't real risky to pacemakers function keeping six in-one foot from the motor or greater.

Finally, you can actually look up the magnetic field on pretty much every motor installed in the USA. The Gauss plotting is pretty easy to read. And, if you have that in hand you can see what the potential risk distance is.

 

[John Britton]

A little over two years ago I had 5 stents added to the old ticker. As a result of a recent cardiac cath, they discovered the left side heart muscle was a little "tight" resulting in variances in my heart beat. I am scheduled for another echocardiogram in August. It has been suggested that I may need a pacemaker.

I have read that there are quite a few precautions around power tools that I may have to be careful with. (I understand some of the obvious - airport security, MRI etc., but heard of issues around routers, sanders, planers, .tablesaw also an issue. Is this true.

Just asking here if there is anyone else in our community faced with the same issue.

Would hate to have to surrender all my tools and hobby.

Just asking.

TIA

Wayne

In my 60 years of woodworking, I have consistently found that being in the shop & operating the tools & machines & cutting the wood; fully replaces the need for pacemakers, drugs, alcohol, or tobacco. In fact, often when I go from the house to the shop, my body relaxes so much that I have to turn around & go to the bathroom.
Woodworking supplants Doctors. (to some degree).

 

[Hmerkle]

@Canuck Yes, I was in the same situation.
100% heartblock, I am fully reliant on my device - no defib

After talking with the Cardiologist and advice from Boston Scientific (my Pacer manufacturer) I thought my life hobbies would have to change.
5+ years in nothing has changed.
From my personal experience, there is little to no change in ANYTHING I do.

The only caution (for me) is Magnetics and HIGH power (3-Phase over 480V) (this inherently creates magnetic fields - not that lower voltage doesn't, but these are more significant...)
As Wally said, listen to your cardiologist, but understand he or she will err on the MOST cautious of the side effects. (like drug side-effect paperwork - i.e. if someone had heartburn in the test group - that is now listed as a sideeffect to heartburn medication!!)

The biggest concern of my care team for me was welding - "you can not" well, the real answer is "you should not" in other words, working in a weld shop or with a large stick welder is VERY different from using a MIG in your garage...

Another one was don't put your Apple magsafe in your left brest pocket! (yup, it is a VERY stron magnet and can disrupt your pacer...)

Simple answer, ask questions, of your Cardiologist and your manufacturer tech support.

 

[Gotcha6]

Does anyone remember the warnings that used to be in restaurants about pacemakers and microwaves? I'm guessing both have advanced in the past few decades. Time was you couldn't wear an electric wrist watch around a hard drive. Nonetheless, as everyone else has said here, we aren't cardiologists, and most of us probably didn't stay at a Holiday Inn last night. Enjoy your hobby and take care of yourself.

 

[Charles Lent]

I'm now on my 2nd pacemaker from Biotroniks. Mine "phones home" to my doctor with my usage data via a kind-of cell phone on my night stand that it links up wirelessly to when I sleep at night. If they see a problem, they call me.

After considerable questioning, my heart doctor said that my pacemaker is designed to just stop working if it is in an electrical field that causes trouble. When mine stops working, my heart rate drops to about 42, which was the natural rate that I had just before the pacemaker was installed. He said "if this happens, put some distance between you and the source as quickly and your pacemaker should begin working correctly again ". If it doesn't some day, I'll pop a nitro pill and head for the ER. I can stay alive at 42 bpm, but don't have much energy.

I have learned to stay arms length away from my microwave, never open the hood on my car when the HEI engine is running, and stay 8-10' away from my arc welders. So I gave my metalworking equipment and welders to my #2 son who lives across town from me. Now, when I want something welded, I take it to him. He is certified, so the welds are better anyway. I can be in the building with them, but not close (~ 20') to the arc without a problem, and I'm good with that.

I have had 10 heart surgeries since 2000, a triple bypass and valve repair, and then 9 stents, and two pacemakers accumulated since 2000, and I'm still here.

Charley

 

[iclark]

One of my sister-in-laws needed to visit the local IRS office. Something, possibly her pacemaker, tripped the metal detector at the entrance door. The armed guard insisted on using the wand to scan her despite her repeated and very alarmed protests. She almost completely passed out as she fell to the floor. The guard's attitude stayed at TS. She declined an ambulance after they let her sit in a chair for a while before ordering her to leave since she could not pass the guard's metal detector wanding.

Based on her experience, I might be overly cautious about using a metal detector wand to check for metal inclusions in harvested wood. I have no basis to guess about the field strength or frequency of what they sell to woodworkers vs what that guard had.

I would definitely suggest talking to your MD before flying commercial and carrying documentation of your pacemaker to show to security.

I have no info about the external fields on the (relatively new) Digital Variable Reluctance (DVR) motors used in the variable speed Nova lathes, variable speed Nova drill press, and the newest version of the ShopSmith headstock.

While some of the smaller lathes use variable-speed DC motors (like treadmills), most non-DVR electrically variable speed lathes use 3-phase motors and a single-to-3-phase converter. When my Jet 1642 lathe starts turning under power, the radio 6' away receives nothing but loud static because of the interference. I have no knowledge of whether the electrical interference is coming from the converter, the 3-phase motor, or the wire between the 2 (or all of the above).

At the least, I would suggest that you always have a spotter strong enough to catch you who is standing by and alert whenever you try using a new-to-you variable speed power tool that has a tail.

 

[ChemE75]

I have a Medtronic MRI safe pacemaker since 2019. No issues with motors running near it. Biggest I got is 3hp and it’s never interfered. I use a theragun right next to it when I massage my shoulder and upper arm. I avoid the pectoral area since it’s too close for comfort. But that motor buzzing inches away is not a problem. I suspect the newest models are even more shielded. But then my doc said my current model is still commonly used. Two more yrs on battery so I guess time will tell if there are improved versions. I also have the Bluetooth data receiver that sends periodic uploads to the doc. Anyway, imho all should be fine with typical woodworking motors. Now if you got a 20 hp motor, you might want to check with your electrocardiologist.

 

[Hmerkle]

I have a Medtronic MRI safe pacemaker since 2019. No issues with motors running near it. Biggest I got is 3hp and it’s never interfered. I use a theragun right next to it when I massage my shoulder and upper arm. I avoid the pectoral area since it’s too close for comfort. But that motor buzzing inches away is not a problem. I suspect the newest models are even more shielded. But then my doc said my current model is still commonly used. Two more yrs on battery so I guess time will tell if there are improved versions. I also have the Bluetooth data receiver that sends periodic uploads to the doc. Anyway, imho all should be fine with typical woodworking motors. Now if you got a 20 hp motor, you might want to check with your electrocardiologist.

I think we are all in for a surprise when we upgrade, they are making changes to the pacers every year, I think it is more the techand user interface (like all of us who have a bedside monitor to send data to the cardiologist) I think all that (ease of use) is what is being worked on...

 

[ChemE75]

I think we are all in for a surprise when we upgrade, they are making changes to the pacers every year, I think it is more the techand user interface (like all of us who have a bedside monitor to send data to the cardiologist) I think all that (ease of use) is what is being worked on...

It would make a lot of sense. I think the model I have was around the time of the smartphone app connected version. I have not followed the industry, that can wait until I’m closer to replacement, but 10 yrs later I would hope they’ve advanced with smart device connectivity and apps to offer a better user experience.

 

[Gofor]

My wife has had a defibrillator for about 15 years. (All defibrillators are pace makers, but not all pacemakers are defibrillators). When she first got it, they told her to stay away from inductive heating devices. and small gas powered tools (weed wacker, chainsaw etc.) that use a magneto for the spark. They now say she can use an inductive stove top (after her first battery change, which was really installing a new device).

The only interference she has found comes from her Apple watch. She also has a unit by her bed side that periodically reads her device and sends the results to a monitoring company. If she gets her Apple Watch too close (about 3"), the defibrillator thinks the bedside unit is requesting info, so tries to send it (It does not trigger the defibrillation). Just takes a minute or so before it stops buzzing.

 

[ErinJ]

I wouldn’t assume your woodworking days are over at all. I know quite a few people with pacemakers who still use table saws, routers, sanders, and other shop tools without issues. Most modern pacemakers are pretty well protected, and the main thing is making sure your tools are in good shape and following whatever precautions your cardiologist recommends. Definitely ask them for guidance specific to your device, but I think there’s a very good chance you’ll still be able to enjoy your shop.

 

[demondeacon]

I think we are all in for a surprise when we upgrade, they are making changes to the pacers every year, I think it is more the techand user interface (like all of us who have a bedside monitor to send data to the cardiologist) I think all that (ease of use) is what is being worked on...

Actually the R&D focus is on lots of things, including: extending the battery life, improving the leads, increasing use of anti- infection pouches, and as you state software upgrades.

 

[mattfrit]

If you want practical peace of mind, EMF detectors readily available from online suppliers.

You can even download an app on you phone to do this (not sure about accuracy).