Pacemakers and Microwave.........

[Jkm7]

I was just listening to Dr. Rosenfeld on Fox News this morning and I think I heard them say people with pacemakers need to stay away from microwaves? Is this true? I never heard that before.

(I don't have or need a pacemaker but this really caught my attention.)

Thanks.

 

[donna]

hi there,I got a pacemaker 7 years ago and was told not to stand in front of microwave
donna

 

[Lynlw]

That used to be true with the MUCH older pacers, but not the newer ones (going back as far as 98 when Justin got his they were ok

 

[Adrienne]

My husband just got a pacemaker in May. In the written instructions he was given, microwave ovens are fine. I think the original microwave ovens from many years ago were a problem (for the population in general), but not now.

 

[Jkm7]

Thanks. I was interested as I'd never heard that before.
Before I developed my own heart issues, I never listened to much heart 'education'. My father, his father and his father ahead of him all had serious heart conditions and I think I buried my head in the sand a bit. You know........ ignore it and it will go away.

 

[Lynlw]

Here's a good pdf about pacemakers and what you can and can't do and some things you should try like 6-12 inches or even 2 feet away from your pacemaker http://www.medtronic.com/rhythms/downloads/UC200602918EN.pdf
part of the reason newer pacers are ok w/ microwaves, is because they (the pacer) have a shield built in to protect them .
When Justin first got his (he was 10) they told him he could use/be in the same room as a microwave (alot of places have big warning signs next to the microwaves, for pacemakers) The things you shouldn't do, or at least stay a certain distance from, (like chain saws or welding) always kind of surprised me

Its kind of a shame they are giving out wrong info and probably making people nervous.

 

[Greg a]

I have had a pacemake since 07 007 and I uses a micro wavre all the time without problems