Pacemaker info...

I was wondering if anyone knows if "lightening" that usually happens with a thunder storm interferes with pacemakers? My mother is the one with the pacemaker and that came just before her stroke! Her speech is what is impaired the worse so I can't ask her. I would appreiciate any help or info. on this topic...
Thanks!

5 Comments

Lightening and Pacemakers

by SMITTY - 2009-04-21 02:04:37

Hey Mag,

Funny that you would ask that right now. Last Friday (4-17-09) I was standing on our covered deck watching the rain which, we needed so badly, and lightening struck a tree less than 30 feet from where I was standing. I felt something and if I had to describe it, I would say it felt about the same as when they put the magnet over my pacemaker during a checkup but it only lasted a few seconds. And what I felt could very well have just been my heart skipping a beat or two from fright caused by that sudden and unbelievably loud noise. The only thing I noticed for more than a few seconds was the ringing in my ears and that went on for several minutes.

While, in the future, I will have no fear of lightening so far as my pacemaker goes, I can tell you for certain I don't want to be that close to another strike. That was my second time to be that close to a lightening strike and the other time was about 65 to 70 years ago and I remember it well also. But based on my experience on the 17th my guess is that if the lightening could harm the pacemaker, the person may not survive the electrical charge even if it was not a direct hit.

Now to answer your question, "I was wondering if anyone knows if "lightening" that usually happens with a thunder storm interferes with pacemakers?" I have to say, again based on my experience, that you do not need to be concerned.

Smitty

NO

by Angelie - 2009-04-21 02:04:53

People without pacemakers are equally dangered by lightening. ALL people are at a equal risk of getting hit by lightening if you choose to stay outside during electrical/thunder storms.
As our weather man always states, if you hear thunder you are close enough to the storm to be hit by lightening that often accompanies it.

Hope this helps.

The only thing that interferes with pacemakers are arc welding, and magnets. Most small appliances are safe, as are microwaves. When in doubt about certain items, or questions about your mother's condition it's always a safe bet to ask her physician, though. Always better to be safe than sorry.....

Angelie

Lightening!

by GrandmaD - 2009-04-21 03:04:45


Being a huge fan of storms, I can honestly say that I have felt the effects of lightening at close range! It probably depends on your own sensitivity (and mine is very high) but as far as permanent damage it is my understanding that the only way that could happen was if the strike was close enough to cause damage to non-electrified people like yourselves.If you have doubts, be more vigilant of her general sate.
Best of luck to you.
Debera

Lightening and magnetic fields

by esperry - 2009-04-21 04:04:38

Mag,

Lightening strikes are equivalent to massive electric fields forming in a particular point in the air. In short, all electric fields have a property called induction that builds a magnetic field around them. Thus, when lightening forms, a magnetic field around the bolt forms which can affect the pacemaker. However, most pacemakers have a "magnet mode" which enables them to pace 100% of the time at a preset value (mine is 84 bpm) when they encounter a magnetic field. This magnet mode is, in a form, utilized when they interrogate your pacemaker (especially when they check your lead activity).

This is probably why Smitty and Debera have felt the effects of lightening strikes, as their pacemakers most likely entered "magnet mode" for a brief moment.

Angelie is correct, though, in saying that lightening is not harmful from a distance. Obviously, if you are hit, you will suffer both physical and pacemaker problems. MRIs and arc welding pose greater problems, even if they otherwise don't hurt us, because they produce alternating magnetic fields, which can disrupt current flow in the pacemaker. This can cause them to run current into the battery, which shorts the circuit and could destroy the battery.

I did hear something encouraging, though. Yesterday, I had my pacemaker interrogated and the ICD nurse told me they build shields that can allow you to have an MRI, say, on your leg, yet protect your pacemaker from the alternating magnetic field! The ICD nurse told me I just had to call my electrophysiologist when I needed an MRI and they could possibly arrange for it. I thought this was pretty neat.

Hope this helps!

Ethan

Lightning and Pacemaker

by maggie36 - 2014-05-31 01:05:53

I was watching a really bad thunder storm on our sunroom. All windows were closed & I was sitting at a table watching it all. A bolt of lighting hit so close that I thought it hit inside the porch. I could see it that clearly. I screamed and my pacemaker gave a quick pain and jolt. I was terrified. I noticed I'm very tired in the last 2 days but I know it's still working. I see my doctor next will and will be sure to tell him. I'm reassured though by the information on this site.

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