amusement park rides

Hello, I am going to Universal Studios in 2 weeks. I have a medtronic pacemaker and I am wondering if it is safe to go on rides.

Thank you.


6 Comments

Have fun

by crustyg - 2023-07-07 15:50:14

I don't think you need to worry about the magnetic braking, the sudden accelerations (positive and negative), inversions, the fake earthquakes.  Yes, some of them may well increase your HR for a short period, but that's what 'normal' people experience too.

The rides aren't going to stop your PM pacing you as needed.

Body braces

by Lavender - 2023-07-07 17:20:31

I'm just wondering about rides that have a support that clamps down over your shoulders into the chest area. It can't hurt your pacemaker, but might shove your skin into the pacemaker too hard(?) I haven't gone to any amusement parks in years. 

Magnetic brakes

by AgentX86 - 2023-07-07 18:53:50

Only the very largest coasters have magnetic breaking and we are supposed to avoid them.  Whatever, don't tell them that you have a PM or they may restrict you to the kiddie rides. These parks are the biggest source of CYA outside of Washington.

have fun

by Tracey_E - 2023-07-08 10:57:15

To echo Agent, whatever you do, do not ask them! They won't let you on anything. It's a CYA world and they lump all heart conditions together. 

If your leads are more than a year old, you don't need to worry about hills and centrifugal force. Less than a year, be careful on anything with too much force. 

I've been told to avoid magnetic brakes in the past, which I did for years, but I tested the waters on a few and didn't have any issues. I thought Hagrid would be pushing the limits with it's fast start/stops (those are controlled by magnets) but I felt fine and this is possibly my favorite ride. Most newer rides have them now so it's harder to avoid them than it used to be. I still haven't gone on Hulk but that's mostly because upside down makes me green not the magnetc brakes. 

Bumpy rides will make your hr go up if your rate response is turned on. Feels odd if you aren't expecting it but it's harmless. 

Some harnesses bother some people. My box is placed low enough that it's never been an issue. 

A magnet has to be very strong and less than 6" from our device to put it into test mode. It won't hurt us, just put it into test mode until we get away from it. In 30 years paced, I have never done this. I've had annual passes to both Universal and Disney and ridden pretty much anything I wanted, toured power plants, run with my phone tucked in my bra right over my device- all sorts of things that some might call questionable. Live your life. 

Roller coasters.

by Selwyn - 2023-07-09 08:57:06

This question was answered some time ago:

can i ride a rollercoaster???

BY HAILEY123  2008-05-26 05:05:49  GENERAL POSTING   26547 VIEWS  7 COMMENTS
i am 12 and i was just wondering if anyone knows if it is ok to ride a rollercoaster with a pacemaker?

It has only had 26 000 views!

I wonder if Hailey is still around? She does not come up as a member.

lower case hailey123

by Gemita - 2023-07-09 10:57:33

Selwyn,

Use lower case hailey123 and you will find her.  No doubt she is still having fun.  I attach her BIO link which should be copied into our main browser to open (when you are logged in):-

https://www.pacemakerclub.com/member/hailey123

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