bioelectrical impedance tests

Hi all,

Trying to get fitter / lose more weight and was very keen to get a set of scales that not only weighs but measure body fat too - the only problem I see is the fact that the scales use bioelectrical impedance (low current to complete the body mass test. As ever there is conflicting advice (much like the airport - walk thru v hand held metal detector debate)

Do anyone have experience of using this type of product with a pacemaker ?
I might add that mine is one of the new ones which allows MRI scans

3 Comments

Prolly not an issue

by ILoominatedEKG - 2012-08-09 09:08:11

Any scale producing enough current through the body to interfere with a pacemaker would probably kill a normal man. The electromagnetic spectrum used in airports goes all the way through you. That is more of a concern. Although I'm not an expert on the matter and have no first hand experience, my best educated guess is that you would have to worry more about the pacemaker skewing the results of the BMI test.

The MRI scan feature simply means there is no iron in it. Thus, a large magnetic field will not pull it out of your chest.

Hopefully someone who knows will enlighten you better.

Best wishes, Dave

The question

by ElectricFrank - 2012-08-10 02:08:15

In most modes of operation the pacemaker is not only pacing, but also sensing activity in your heart. Both can be done through the same leads.

As an example in the case of one of the cardiac electrical blocks the pacer senses the atrial activity and uses it to time the ventricular pacing.

So the potential problem with any device that injects current into your body is that it can be sensed as atrial activity (in my example). Whether it causes problems depends on the path through your body, the amplitude of the current, and the frequency. The result could be interruption of pacing, fast pacing, erratic heart beat, or no problem. Modern pacemakers are designed as much as possible to reject this kind of signals.

The good news is that this sort of interference will not do any permanent damage to the pacer. The way I deal with it is to have someone with me the first time I am exposed to the interfering signal to turn it off if it causes and problem. When turned off any effect should disappear quickly.

So far I have never had anything cause problems for me. I've been exposed to all sorts of fairly high powered devices.

Something to be aware of: The first time you try the new scales you will be hyper-aware of any feelings in your body. Don't be spooked by it.

good luck with your fitness efforts,

frank

I use one all the time

by Jari - 2012-08-11 01:08:47

I am a personal trainer and use that type of scale all the time with my clients. However as a pacemaker recipient the scales are no good for us. I've messed around with it and never felt any ill effects for one but they readings are always screwed. Using the bodyfat pinch test I'm anywhere for 10-11% bodyfat. However on the scale it gives me a consistent reading of 19%. No idea how it does that but that's what it gives me. The bodyfat pinch test with calipers is much more accurate if the person doing it is doing it right. I just use the scale with clients because it's faster and less invasive. It's just one of the small sacrifices people with pacemakers have to make in order to have an active and healthy life.

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