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iPods can affect pacemakers?

13 May 2007 18:54 by James "Dela" Delahunty | 12 comments

A study presented by a 17 year old high school student to a meeting of heart specialists on Thursday showed proof that Apple Inc.'s iPod player can cause cardiac implantable pacemakers to malfunction by interfering with the electromagnetic equipment monitoring the heart. Many other types of MP3 players or portable devices could also have the same effect, but this study only covered iPods.

One hundred patients, whose mean age was 77, were tested as part of the study. Results showed that electrical interference was detected half of the time when the device was held about 2 inches away from the patient's chest for a duration of just 5 to 10 seconds. In some cases, interference was detected at distances up to 18 inches.

Such interference causes the device to misread the heart's pacing and in one case caused the pacemaker to stop functioning altogether. The study was held at the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Institute at Michigan State University and the results were presented at the Heart Rhythm Society annual meeting in Denver.

Jay Thaker, lead author of the study, concluded that the interference can lead to physicians misdiagnosing actual heart function. Thaker was put in touch with Dr. Krit (Jongnarangsin), after asking his father, who is an electrophysiologist, about a potential interaction between pacemakers and iPods.

"Most pacemaker patients are not iPod users," Jongnarangsin said. For that reason, he said, it is unclear how often iPods cause misdiagnoses. He said that this issue needs further study.

Source:
Reuters

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thekingo7 (Senior Member) 13 May 2007 19:22
I gotta say this is pretty creepy, If possible Apple needs to address this. So many people use pace makers there days its a risk to large section of the population. [ + quote]
mspurloc (Member) 13 May 2007 19:58
The story should have emphasized that it's only the hard drive models that are a threat. Nanos and Shuffles are harmless. This really isn't news, anyway. You shouldn't get any hard-drive-based technology close to a pacemaker. At usable range, the signals going across those heads are more powerful than the magnetron seepage from microwaves and way more powerful than the measly effect of the already-banned cellphones. The electrical impulses from the pacemaker and the body's own electrical system are so tiny that they're easily overwhelmed. Mu shielding would make them safer, but also heavier and more expensive. Frankly, iPods are overpriced as it is. [ + quote]
borhan9 (AfterDawn Addict) 13 May 2007 23:07
This is intresting that this could happen. I am going to forward this to my father he may like to read this one and may tell his patients to not use the device. [ + quote]
tribbb (Newbie) 14 May 2007 5:06
this 17yo boy works for sony ? microwaves also affects pacemakers but i dont see anyone making a complaint about microwave ovens or electromagnetic fields or what they are called. So i dont see anything new in here. [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 14 May 2007 5:24
Originally posted by tribbb: this 17yo boy works for sony ? microwaves also affects pacemakers but i dont see anyone making a complaint about microwave ovens or electromagnetic fields or what they are called. So i dont see anything new in here. Microwaves are so diluted it rarely causes a problem but since the HDD is closer to body and its EM waves are a bit stronger it can cause enough interference to be worried about.... [ + quote]
tribbb (Newbie) 14 May 2007 5:40
my point is that there are so many things that can affect pacemakers and by accusing ipod for such malfunctions is so lame. It seems to me they are looking for a scapegoat. Ipod sells great and the other firms are not happy. Its just buisness. [ + quote] This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 14 May 2007 5:41
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 14 May 2007 5:42
Originally posted by tribbb: my point is that there are so many things that can affect pacemakers and by accusing ipod for such malfunctions is so lame. Its seems to me they are looking for a scapegoat. Ipod sells great and the other firms are not happy. Its just buisness. well most of the other stuff you don't "wear" so forcing them to have warnings and crap to state that the HD ones can screw with pacemakers is not a evil idea. [ + quote]
tribbb (Newbie) 14 May 2007 5:58
i agree, anyway i dont even own an ipod but this article is mixed up. Title "iPods can affect pacemakers?" Text "Many other types of MP3 players or portable devices could also have the same effect" Why ipod has to take the blame ? Make a study for 30-40 other mp3 players and see the results. I dont think there is going to be a big difference. [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 14 May 2007 6:03
Originally posted by tribbb: i agree, anyway i dont even own an ipod but this article is mixed up. Title "iPods can affect pacemakers?" Text "Many other types of MP3 players or portable devices could also have the same effect" Why ipod has to take the blame ? Make a study for 30-40 other mp3 players and see the results. I dont think there is going to be a big difference. between the short attention spans of the suits and the sheeple you need to nail a big name to the wall so everyone will take notice its easier for it to trickle down to "like" devices after words. [ + quote]
natony (Junior Member) 14 May 2007 6:16
Hahaha, this is such a load of crap. I mean anyone with a basic knowledge of electrical fields will understand that any changing electrical field near a sensitive device will have an effect. Sitting in front of a CRT monitor, or near a microwave, or near an amplifier would probably have a greater effect. To place any blame on such a low current device like an mp3 player is fairly narrow minded and misguided. Let's think... what else causes chaning electric or magnetic fields... Driving near powerlines. Travelling in an aeroplane. Travelling on electric trains. Starting a car engine. Posting a comment on afterdawn.com Really... put this in perspective [ + quote]
Unfocused (Junior Member) 15 May 2007 20:35
Do pacemakers carry that warning that the device must accept any interference caused? That sticker is on most everything else electronic. [ + quote]
ZippyDSM (AfterDawn Addict) 15 May 2007 22:36
Unfocused pace makers are a bit more "special" bedise put a TV on a microwave and you cant see sht while the microwave is on it might "function" but it wont "work". the point of intrefreance testing/warning is not to have the device blow up merely but slightly functioning. [ + quote]