Introduction
Radio Amateurs are quite concerned about the susceptibility of pacemakers and similar medical devices to electric, magnetic, and electromagnetic fields found near their stations. Note: This page contains many resources for evaluating possible risks, but there is no substitute for getting expert opinion from your doctor and manufacturer of your durable medical equipment.
Articles
Interference: Its Potential Effect on Pacemaker Systems
Study Suggests Electric Cars Not A Danger To People With Pacemakers by Bob Yirka, Tech Xplore, April 24, 2018.
The following is an older article for reference purposes only:
Pacemakers, Interference and Amateur radio
QST July 1994, pp. 34-36
Can hams who use pacemakers safely pursue Amateur Radio? Yes, they generally can, but this article outlines important safety precautions they must take. Hams with pacemakers should follow any and all advice provided to them by their physician and the pacemaker manufacturer. That is more specific than the general guidelines in the article.
Expert Opinion
The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Electromanetic Compatibility (EMC)
- Guidance on RF Wireless Technology in Medical Devices
- Radiation-Emitting Devices - Cell Phones
American Heart Association
The American Heart Association has a page on Devices that May Interfere with ICDs and Pacemakers. In that page, they state that wile you should consult your health care professional for advise about specific devices and machinery to avoid, "Citizen's Band (CB) radios and amateur radios pose little or no risk to pacemakers."
Note: It is important to distinguish between electromagnetic fields generated by radio antennas and magnetic fields generated by heavy metal transformers connected to the AC powerlines. Radio signals are easily filtered out or shielded, while 60Hz magnetic fields are much more troublesome.
Web Links
- Boston Scientific brochure on pacemakers which includes a section on interference
- Medtronic
- Patient Services Electromagnetic Compatibility Guide for Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC).
- Patient Services Electromagnetic Compatibility Guide for Communications and Office Equipment. See Special Considerations that address Amateur radio.
- Patient Services Electromagnetic Compatibility Guide for Frequently Asked Questions.
- Patient Services Electromagnetic Compatibility Guide for Household and Hobby Items
- Abbott EMI Information .
- WebMD e-medicine Pacemaker and Automatic Internal Cardiac Defibrillator
- ARRL RF Exposure Page - includes ARRL RF exposure information and calculator