Patients with irregular heart rhythms should keep magnetically interfering electronics – such as smartphones and smartwatches – more than 15 centimeters from implanted medical devices. These are the conclusions reached by researchers from the United States, whose work is published in the journal Heart Rhythm.
Heart-implanted pacemakers (PACs) and cardioverter-defibrillators – devices designed to help people with heart rhythm disorders – have a so-called “magnetic mode”. It is used during procedures that may cause electromagnetic interference. In the pacemaker, “magnetic mode” can trigger asynchronous heart rate stimulation. However, this mode can be activated accidentally by magnetic fields stronger than ten Gauss. With the advent of compact magnets made of rare-earth metals, many models of headphones, door locks, and also microphones of smartphones began to possess such magnetic fields.
Experts from the Center for Equipment Control and Radiation Safety of the US Food and Drug Administration evaluated the magnetic field strength from all iPhone 12 and Apple Watch 6 models at different distances from medical technology. They found that at close range, the constant magnetic field from all models was stronger than ten gauss – and was quite enough to influence the inclusion of magnetic mode. However, if the electronics were more than six inches (15.24 centimeters) from the instruments, the mode did not activate. Also, scientists are not advised to carry electronics in pockets above devices.
