Berlin: Electric and magnetic fields generated from everyday household appliances used in very close proximity to the body can interfere with the ability of pacemakers to regulate patients' heartbeats, a new study has warned.
Researchers tested under different conditions the impacts of Electric and magnetic fields (EMF) exposure on about 119 patients with pacemakers. Pacemakers are small battery-operated devices that help patients hearts to beat in a regular rhythm.
The patients were exposed to an EMF similar to common exposure, that is EMFs at power grid frequencies of 50Hz or 60Hz, then the EMF was increased until the researchers noted a pacemaker sensing failure. The study found that pacemakers are susceptible to EMF that can occur in everyday life, in particular when programmed to maximum sensitivity or so called unipolar sensing mode.
"Electromagnetic interferences with pacemakers in everyday life can occur. However, harmful interferences are rare using vendors recommended device settings," said Andreas Napp, cardiologist at the RWTH Aachen University Hospital in Germany. Examples of EMF sources are powerlines, household appliances, electrical tools and entertainment electronics.
"Electromagnetic interference with pacemakers can result in bradycardia, or a slow heart rate," Napp added. In many cases, holding the appliance, tool or other EMF source at a forearm's length distance, greater than 12 inches limits the risk of electromagnetic interference.
However, further measures might be needed in environments with strong EMF, such as engines used in the processing or manufacturing industry, researchers said. The study was published in the journal Circulation.
