Do you have a pacemaker or some other electronic implant? Then, if you do not have one of several new designs that are not magnetically installed or not protected from MRI, you will be warned that it is too close to the magnets. This is a real risk: strong magnets are used to adjust the parameters of the pacemaker for your own situation, and a strong magnet can regulate it, which can have unpleasant consequences for the work of your heart.
What is your cardiologist? But there is a risk and a risk, and about what there is a speech in this article. I am going to place risk in three categories below, but these are not the groups you might think; instead of lists of risky magnets, I will talk about risky doctors! You see, most doctors have not been properly trained in risk management, and - wanting to avoid being able to sue you, if they advise you wrong, they say that you don’t run the risk. I call them:
BRILLIANT DOCTOR ... Who is it? Well, let's compare your risk of a pacemaker with the risk of getting injured on the roads. In our comparison, this doctor will warn you: "Never approach the road." Well, I know that it is insanely impractical; in fact, you cannot even consult a doctor to hear his advice without breaking this rule! But it blinks: you will be asked to avoid all magnets. Our blinking doctor tells you not to get close to televisions, fridge magnets, telephones (including cell phones), and everything else with a loudspeaker or hard drive — they all contain magnets.
Of course, it is stupid and impossible to live. The doctor will tell you about it if you ask, but do not want to say exactly what you must to avoid. At best, they will give you a short list of materials containing a magnet, which are probably safe (although they do not commit themselves). And something concrete that you ask for, for example, a bracelet for therapy, certainly, will not. simply because he does not dare to give you "yes."
USEFUL DOCTOR ... recognize that a complete ban is impractical and unnecessary, so they should not go along with STRONG magnets. This is much better - the doctor has an idea of risk management, or at least admits that not every magnet can affect your pacemaker. In our comparative comparison with road traffic, as they say, "It's great to go on safe roads, but stay away from dangerous ones." What is it? They do not know. They also do not have about strong magnets.
Is this what your manufacturer’s board says? Manufacturers can be just as vile, be it a pacemaker or a magnetic therapy bracelet. Here is an example from one bracelet manufacturer:
Our products should not be worn by anyone who has a heart pacemaker or other implant that may be affected by a strong magnetic field. "
Like wool, how advice gets: a warning, without help! They cover all risk bases and lose you as a customer. So try using your & # 39; the doctor to determine what a strong magnet is, so you can see exactly what should be avoided. You will almost certainly get an evasive answer! Again, you will probably be given a list, perhaps you should try to avoid it, but this is your risk, not theirs. And, asking for more advice, you will get empty views and a brush, because, of course, they will not understand all the magnets that you can meet, so they will not advise you.
SAVVYI DOCTOR ... who you are looking for: a doctor who has been trained in risk management and can show you how to handle your own circumstances. Interestingly, this doctor does not need to be your cardiologist, because the principles that they can show you apply everywhere. And each hospital should have at least several consultants at this level.
How can you find such doctors? Because they will start by asking you about themselves and that you Consider it a fair risk. Then the advice will be set up so that you feel comfortable with the risk, although if you have a relationship with caring for the devil, they may want to give you stronger warnings! The same, reasonable attitude is probably what you already have for road hazards, and this sensitive security approach allows you to safely use magnetic therapy.
To Do List for a safe stay
This list is designed to help you manage your risks if you cannot see a risk specialist at the hospital.
- Know your pacemaker / device. Keep your data card safe and sound and carry a warning card with you — in the Medic-Alert bracelet if you feel safer. And make sure that you find the power level of the magnet used to adjust it so that you can get accurate advice to keep it lower when working with magnets.
- Find out and familiarize yourself with the magnets that you should not put next to a pacemaker. For example, television sets with an old type cathode are certainly dangerous, but you will not be putting a chest on tubular magnets unless you become a service engineer, so do not worry.
- Today, most magnetic therapy devices are safe for all but the oldest pacemakers. Magnetic flux at the level of the skin of the breast will not cause anything inside - they are too weak, so they usually do not work for therapy. This is a tip from an American cardiology website:
The use of therapeutic magnets, such as the treatment of arthritis or muscle pain, etc. Does not interfere with the operation of the pacemaker if the magnet remains at least six inches from the device. Magnetic mattresses should not be used as they may change the function of your pacemaker. "
And it is outdated; Today, several pacemakers will work even when the skin comes in contact with weaker magnets, and even strong magnets must be highly close to your skin to cause a response - a few millimeters, because all magnetic fields quickly fall off with distance.
- Several, very powerful magnetic therapy devices will trigger a pacemaker if they come into contact with your skin over it. These include those from Norstar, several from Nikken, and one Bioflow model — the Boost button (other Bioflows are safe to wear). They all use unshielded neodymium magnets across a centimeter across (almost half an inch). Good risk management says that if therapy is valuable, you must manage this risk by holding the magnet away from the pacemaker, rather than dropping the therapy - but this is your choice, not your doctor. And other therapeutic magnets, including all other Bioflows, should be fine if you do not press them against the face.
- Remember that when you wear a magnetic device, keep in mind that usually there is a danger when the wrist magnet rises to the chest - a natural movement, for example, when you cross your arms or remove the jumper or top. This and similar actions just need to be done with more caution than before. You just need to train to exercise great care, just as you already do with hot objects.
- When you next change a pacemaker, ask if the manufacturer has an MRI model that is also better protected from therapeutic magnets. The following Canadian paper report has some recommendations.
Therefore, remember that carrying a person does not make you disabled. If you are not very nervous, you can find a happy environment between absolutely avoiding magnets and the risk of returning to asynchronous mode. All you need is to figure out what a magnet is, what a risk, then use common sense and modest changes in your own behavior. And a good cardiologist who knows Risk Management (or his savvy college) can find a reasonable middle course for you.
