Seniors: CELL PHONES damaging your HEART?
There’s plenty to like about the latest-and-greatest cell phone and watch technology.
Whether it’s the latest smartphone that helps you stay connected to friends and family with a click of a button… or the latest ‘smart’ watch that helps with directions or tracks your daily activity…
This technology helps everyone – including seniors – stay connected and active in ways we never thought possible!
But like many things, there’s a catch…
And this time, it could cause some serious damage to the heart health of countless seniors across America – perhaps even YOU!
According to findings published in Heart Rhythm (which is the official journal of the Heart Rhythm Society, the Cardiac Electrophysiology Society, and the Pediatric & Congenital Electrophysiology Society), it’s recommended that:
Patients keep any consumer electronic devices that may create magnetic interference, including cell phones and smart watches, at least six inches away from implanted medical devices.
Specifically, pacemakers and cardiac defibrillators.
After previous reports that smart phones and smart watches can negatively interfere with implanted medical devices, an independent study found that certain, newer cell phones, smart watches, and other consumer electronics with high field strength magnets may temporarily affect the normal operation of implanted electronic medical devices – including pacemakers and implantable defibrillators.
But the study found that when smart devices stay at least six inches or more away from these devices, there is no issue with magnetic disruption.
So, what does this mean for you?
If you currently own a smart phone or smart watch (or are in the market for one), make sure you carefully read all instructions and safety warnings that come with your device.
By law, companies are required to disclose any potentially safety hazards associated with their products.
If you wear a pacemaker (or other implanted medical device), make sure you have a conversation with your doctor or cardiologist so you have a clear understanding on what devices could affect your pacemaker’s performance.
To tech safety,
Sarah Reagan
Sources:
Medical Xpress. “New cell phone and smart watch models can interfere with pacemakers and defibrillators.” https://medicalxpress.com/news/2021-08-cell-smart-pacemakers-defibrillators.html
