Pacemakers & battery chargers

Fulcrum480
Fulcrum480 Forum Participant Posts: 4
edited September 9 in Caravan & Motorhome Chat #1

I have my first Pacemaker fitted. I usually sleep over the battery charger / RCD in my Swift 480. Has anyone experienced any interference from the charger when in bed? 

Comments

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 9 #2

    There are different types of pacemaker affected by different things - often magnetic fields. 

    Rather than take a chance, I suggest you speak to the experts at your hospital as the last thing you want is the pacemaker going out of kilter.

  • LLM
    LLM Forum Participant Posts: 1,555 ✭✭
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    edited September 9 #3

    Modern bipolar pacemaker are generally well shielded against EMI (electromagnetic interference).  It is very unlikely that the minor radiation emitted from any equipment used in a van would have any effect but as said above, it is worth speaking to your hospital expert for peace of mind.  

  • Cornersteady
    Cornersteady Club Member Posts: 14,425 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 9 #4

    Agree with above fully but could you change where you sleep as well?

  • Fulcrum480
    Fulcrum480 Forum Participant Posts: 4
    edited September 10 #5

    I could and I may well do that 👍 I’ll check with the hospital. Thanks for replying.

     

  • Amesford
    Amesford Forum Participant Posts: 685
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    edited September 10 #6

    I would presume the pacemaker cope with such things but for your peace of mind if you have a fixed bed why not fit some Tin foil under the mattress this would act as a screen

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,134 ✭✭✭
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    edited September 10 #7

    Sorry but rather than home made amateur fixes, it’s far better to get advice from the people who know. After all, this is the OP's heart we’re talking about and having it go out of rhythm or even stop in the middle of the night might spoil his holiday!

  • AlnShaz67
    AlnShaz67 Club Member Posts: 6 ✭
    Photogenic
    edited September 10 #8

    Although we don’t sleep over the charger my wife’s usual place to sit is over it and she’s not reported any problems nor has the monitor picked up any. Have a word with the cardiac nurse though just for piece of mind. We were told shop security and airport scanners were the only ones that can cause problems.

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