Using airport or venue security with a pacemaker, ICD or CRT device
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- Опубликовано: 18 окт 2024
- Is it safe to walk through airport or venue security if you have an implanted pacemaker, ICD or CRT device? YES! I explain why in this brief video.
For more history and technical information about this topic, please see my video at: • Medtronic pacemakers &...
Please note, I am not a medical professional giving medical advice. The information in this video was obtained through multiple discussions with device design engineers who design and test implantable pacemakers, ICDs and CRT devices.
Doug - it's very thoughtful of you to make this video to help educate and assuage the concerns of those of us who are new to the pacemaker/ICD club! Thank you very much!
New to ICD, just watched this video and will watch your others. This is extremely helpful, and you are very good at producing simple, easy-to-understand videos...and very valuable to ICD patients. Many thanks.
Thanks Robert! I hope the other videos you watch are helpful too! I appreciate the comment!
@@DouglasRachac Hi, Doug. Someone on the ICD Facebook group pointed me to your videos. Glad to have found them. I am only three days out from receiving the ICD, so the nervousness is still there. I will be watching all of your other videos, and it's nice to see the full life you live. I want to get there again...work, swim, golf, travel. Take care.
@Andy Hiếu Vlogs It's a public group, so anyone can submit a request to join. At facebook.com/groups/323008341094372/
I'd rather believe the reference from TSA than a random guy from the internet:
Reference:
www.tsa.gov/travel/frequently-asked-questions/what-are-procedures-if-i-have-internal-or-external-medical-device
Hi Doug,
I saw your comment on my video, and I have to say you do a good job with the delivery and flow of your video. I like the level of detail. I also don't mention that I have a device when I go though security. I've never had a problem. I was nervous the first time I went through arch metal detector because I though it might go off, and my ICD card is in my wallet in the x-ray machine. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work.
Hi, thanks for the video, I had my device fitted three weeks ago so a lot of questions and not many people to ask. I am an electronics designer myself so couldn't see this problem not being addressed. But reasurance is always comforting. Not planning any travel but I like to be ahead of the game. BTW. I was given a paper list with labels of the model and serial numbers of my device and wires. So I scanned them and had a plastic credit card printed with a medic alert on one side and the device details with my details on he reverse. So if i'm ever in need all my details are on my person at all times. Thanks again. Appreciated.
Thanks, Doug...travelling next week ...
Your videos are very interesting. I have now my 3rd pm that means I live already 21 years with that thing. Never had problems but never went through security on the airport.
Very useful info. Thanks mate. I was worried about security checks
Thank you
Thank you buddy
Hi Doug,
Thanks again for another helpful video. I have my implant procedure scheduled for next week at the Mayo Clinic. After your procedure, and healing time did you pretty much return to a normal life? Doing the things you did before your procedure. Thanks again for your videos, they are helping me through this. John.
Hi John, thanks for watching, and thanks for your kind words. Yes, after I was able to heal up I was able to return to everything I had done before. Usually that healing time is 6-8 weeks (consult with your doctor). Since my surgery I’ve been scuba diving, mountain biking, zip lining, rock climbing... According to my doctor I don’t have any restrictions.
@@DouglasRachac Thanks Doug. You’re helping me to get through this. John
My pleasure! I'm glad my videos were helpful to you.
@@DouglasRachac Thank you for these videos! How does one continue with diving. I am PADI but have been told that diving is out. Any help in the right direction would be appreciated. Once again Thanks!
@@PFLEONARDI0906 I'm very sorry I didn't see this comment earlier. My apologies.... A return to diving is something you will need to discuss with your heart doctor. Initially my doctor said "No!", but we talked about my condition, and about how the heart medications I am taking have virtually eliminated all episodes of a fast heart rate. I do still have them, but they happen only about 1-2 times a year now, and I haven't had a fainting episode in the last 7+ years, so it's very very unlikely it would happen during the 45-60 minutes I am underwater. Still, my doctor agreed that I could dive on 3 conditions: 1) I go no deeper than 50 feet (about 15 meters), 2) I stay within 5 feet of a dive buddy who knows and understands my heart condition (this is my wife), and 3) that I tell the Dive Master of every dive about my heart condition and that I have my doctor's approval to dive. I have never had a problem with any dive, and in one case the Dive Master and I swapped stories because he received a new heart valve a few years earlier. My most recent dive was in Hawaii this past March where my family and I dove with the Manta Rays. You can see a somewhat shaky video of our adventure here: ruclips.net/video/B5b1sM-gyfQ/видео.html I hope you're able to speak with your doctor and get back to diving again. It's so wonderful down there, I hope you're able to enjoy it again soon.
Listen to your doctors advice.
I have personally seen an older gentleman’s device malfunction immediately upon walking through a metal detector. It appeared to have interrupted his pacemaker momentarily and he was dependent on it. Had to call an ambulance for him though he did come back around. Hopefully this will eventually be a thing of the past with devices.
One thing I can say for certain is that the security system didn't shut off or stop his pacemaker. That's just not possible with our devices. They have too many safeguards built in to prevent that from happening. If the magnetic field of the security system interacted with his device in any way it would have switched the device into a constant pacing rate, which is totally safe for pacing dependent patients. When the person exists the magnetic field (exits the archway) the device would switch back to its normal programming. Even if it didn't, pacing would not stop or drop in any way to a dangerous level. What's more likely is that the traveler's anxiety over navigating a security checkpoint with a device caused a physical reaction. It's my hope that information like the info in this video will provide patients with the knowledge that security checkpoints are safe to navigate, and will alleviate the anxiety some patients experience.
Could be possible you are correct, I can’t say for sure either way. I don’t think so though based on what I witnessed. My own electrophysiologist advised me that it is possible that an electrometer can momentarily deactivate a device.
Hello Doug. I just received a Medtronic device a couple weeks ago. I was told that I cannot ever go through a metal detector or get the wand at all.
Hi Shunta, thanks for watching. Unfortunately, bad info like this is still out there. The best source for info on this topic is the device manufacturer as they are the ones who design, build and test their own products. You can find what Medtronic says about airport security here: www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/treatments-therapies/common-questions.html This is the important part: "Given the short duration of security screening, it is unlikely that your implanted heart device will be affected by metal detectors (walk-through archways and hand-held wands) or full body imaging scanners (also called millimeter wave scanners and 3D imaging scanners) such as those found in airports, courthouses, and jails.
To minimize the risk of temporary interference with your heart device while going through the security screening process, avoid touching metal surfaces around any screening equipment. Do not stop or linger in a walk-through archway; simply walk through the archway at a normal pace. If a hand-held wand is used, ask the security operator not to hold it over your implanted heart device and not to wave it back and forth over your device. You may also request a hand search as an alternative.
If you have concerns about these security screening methods, show your device ID card, request alternative screening, and then follow the instructions of the security personnel. " What they are saying is it is safe to walk through airport security, and to be wanded, but if you still have concerns you can inform airport security staff that you would like a hand search and you can by-pass the metal detector and wand. I hope that info helps!
Thank you for this video. I was worried with the implant monitor since I’m traveling to NYC this month. They gave me a temporary card and haven’t received my permanent ID card yet.
You should be good to go Leslie. You can go through the security as you have before, or if you're more comfortable with a hand search, the TSA will accommodate you. Have fun on your travels!
@@DouglasRachac how long does it take to receive the permanent card?
Ellie, it shouldn't take more than 6-8 weeks to get your card in the mail.
I do have a hip replacement done and bullets fragrances in my upper arm and behind my butt and the one who made a true about me Lynn Deatherage who has a hip replacement surgery done and it may set alarms over it and show the joint replacement card. With our fear.
When I go through airport i ask for a pat down. I normally wait five minutes for it. Thanks for the vid.
It’s best to do whatever you are most comfortable with. Just know that it is safe to go through security with your device. I just did it today, and it was my Kindle that slowed me down. lol
@@DouglasRachac thank you. much appreciated. I won’t have to be nervous now, if I have to go through it one day.
Hi there, Can a person mig or tig weld or use any type of electrical welding machines with a Pacemaker ? Since there is a magnetic field passing thru the gun, leads and unit which is in close proximity and even draped over your shoulder ?
Hi Sam, thanks for watching the video! I don't know much about welding, but Medtronic and Boston Scientific offer advice on how to weld with a device. Medtronic's info can be found on this page: www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/electromagnetic-guide/frequently-asked-questions.html Boston's info is nearly identical. I hope that helps.
@@DouglasRachac Hi Doug, Thanks for sending the link and I appreciate the advice your giving about the different types of devices. I'm into my second device now which I've had for 6 years, So New Device with Old Leads reused. Definitely won't risk welding or anything of high risk now that I know ! I didn't know about the chainsaw either. Thanks again and God Bless.
This is not what I have been told by my device nurse and electrophysiologist . My device is a new ICD from Medtronic.
Hi Joe, Sadly there's a lot of old information still out there. I would encourage you to have your doctor/nurse talk to their Medtronic rep, or to call Patient Services to learn the current recommendations. Here is what Medtronic has on their after-hours voicemail. The second half of the message is the important part. ruclips.net/video/iT9PGZ7wumk/видео.html
@@DouglasRachac
Thanks Doug. I called Medtronic and received all of their guides and information. I just received my ICD 4/11/23. Thanks for posting.
@@DouglasRachac Hi Doug, any thoughts on using a Sleep Number bed with an ICD? My device nurse called me to check on several noise incidents recorded by my device while I was sleeping. It is like there is a correlation between the bed and the noise.
@@joea363 I haven’t heard of this problem before. It’s possible, I suppose, but shouldn’t be a problem if the motor for the bed is at least 1 foot away from your device.
You don’t use any magnetic blankets or mattress pads, do you?
Has the clinic checked for possible lead issues. It may be that the noise only occurs while you’re laying down because that’s when your device is moving around slightly. Maybe this is something you can test next time you’re in the clinic. If you’re able to recreate the problem while they have you hooked up to a programmer they might be able to pinpoint the problem.
@@DouglasRachac Doug, thanks for your reply. You are correct. It was a lead issue. They did a lead revision procedure leaving me with a second incision. They are telling me that original lead was either defective.
I have had a pacemaker since I was 1 and im 33 now. People, just dont do, it's way easier to get a patdown then risk your life even if there is a .01 percent chance
Dennie, what are you worried might happen by walking through airport security? What could happen that would “risk your life”?
@@DouglasRachac I have complete heart block, I cant risk any interference
@@denniedollreborn8711 got it. That’s understandable. There’s 2 things at a security check point that could, possibly, in very very rare cases interact with an implanted device. One is the electromagnetic energy coming off everything that is powered by electricity, or that has a running engine/motor. The other is magnetic energy. The first, electromagnetic energy/interference, or EMI, can cause a device to see heart rhythms that aren’t really there. It can make pacemakers pace or not pace when they should, and it can make ICDs shock when they shouldn’t. But it takes several seconds of sustained contact with a pretty strong source of EMI to affect an implanted device. You would need to be hugging or standing within inches of a source of EMI for at least 3-4 seconds for there to be any possibility of a problem. And even then your body is a great first line of protection, then the devices are shielded and have algorithms and discriminators that allow it to identify EMI and ignore it or minimize its impact. Studies show the only things that emit measurable EMI at security checkpoints are the hand held wands and the archways. So, as long as you aren’t hugging the archway, or holding a wand to your chest for several seconds you don’t even have a chance of any interaction occurring.
Magnetic strength is the other concern because magnets cause an implanted device to switch modes. A magnet will cause a pacemaker to pace at a constant pacing rate, like 85bpm. A magnet makes a defib withold shocks. But that switch only happens while a magnet is placed and held on top of the skin over your device. The only magnets in a security environment are, again, in the wand and the archway. So, as long as you’re not hugging the archway or the wand there’s no worries.
There’s nothing in a security setting that can scramble your device, shut it off, reset it, or cause it to withold pacing. The devices are pretty intelligent, and have been designed specifically to be safe in everyday settings. The only concerns are with EMI and magnets, and there’s no concern with those if you’re using the security equipment the way we’re supposed to.
Bottom line, though, is that each person should do whatever makes them the most comfortable, and that might be asking for a hand search. My goal is to make sure people know the science and facts so they can make the best decision for themselves. I hope this info helps. Safe travels!
My pacemaker Boston scientific says not to be wanted my I’d card also says this. I outdone not trust a minimum wage rent a cop to wand me as I ask refuse them anything and good luck getting on your plane just saying.
Ultimately you have to do what you feel is the safest, and most likely to get you on your plane in time. Personally, I don’t mention that I have a device unless the security measure picks up on my implant.