Magnetic Dartboard

So this year I finally bought my kids a magnetic dart board. Do I need to stay away from these magnets?

2 Comments

Magnets & PM

by SMITTY - 2013-12-25 11:12:21

Hi Butterfly,

EDITED - Like most magnets you should have 2" or 3" between the magnet and the PM. Should you get one too close it will feel like and irregular heart beat until you get the magnet away from the PM. There will be no harm done to you or the PM. So, I'm wrong and Tracey is correct.
Smitty

I said two to three inches and Tracey said six inches on safe distance for the magnet from the PM. As you will see I'm wrong and Tracey is correct.

Now one other little tidbit on this subject. Magnets come in different strengths. To see how strong the one you have is try this little experiment. , Put a small pin, a straight pin is prefect on a flat surface, such as a table top or mirror. Now starting about 8 to 10 inches from the pin slowly slide the magnet toward the pin. When the magnetic field from the magnet is strong enough to pull the pin to the magnet. measure the distance the pin moved, add one inch, and that is the distance I would feel safe to have that particular magnet from a pacemaker.

The following is what Medtronic Patient Services has to say about magnets and pacemakers. TFT
Implantable Pacemaker and Defibrillator Information
Patient Services: 1 (800) 551-5544, x41835

Have you recently purchased a new item for your home or received a gift that contains magnets? You may begin to question whether the item could possibly affect the function
of your pacemaker or implantable defibrillator. You are not alone and that is why we consulted the engineers at Medtronic
for information about magnets and your heart device.

Do magnets affect pacemakers and implantable defibrillators?

First, it may be helpful to review a known fact about magnets. Maybe you remember in science class learning that items that have electric and magnetic components have “electromagnetic” energy field around them. Even though most electromagnetic fields in the home environment will rarely affect the function of a pacemaker or implantable defibrillator, it is recommended you keep any item containing magnets away (at least 6 inches/15 centimeters) from your pacemaker or implantable defibrillator. The reason for this is because
there is a small magnetically activated switch built into the electronics of pacemakers and implantable defibrillators. This internal switch is designed to close when a magnet of enough strength is placed over it. • When the internal switch is closed in the pacemaker, the pacemaker paces the heart at a
continuous pre-set rate (which could be different than the rate your doctor programmed).• When the internal switch is closed in an implantable defibrillator, it prevents it from delivering treatment therapies. Removing the magnet returns the pacemaker or implantable defibrillator back to its previous,
normal programming.

Aren’t magnets used as part of a pacemaker and implantable defibrillator monitoring?

Yes, the programmer head contains a magnet and could be applied over your heart device as part of your device monitoring. Holding a magnet over a pacemaker or implantable defibrillator closes the internal switch so monitoring and testing can begin. For example, data stored in your heart device since
the last clinic visit can then be retrieved for analysis, or the battery can be tested. The switch opens back up again when the magnet is removed without any permanent effect to your heart device.

Guidelines What are the guidelines for using items with magnets around the home?

As a general rule, maintain a minimum distance of 6 inches(15 centimeters) between any household item with magnets and your heart device.* By maintaining a 6 inch (15 centimeter) separation, you can use that new gift or household item even when you know it has magnets in it, including items such as: • Decorative refrigerator magnets • Large home stereo speakers • Small gas engines • Hand-held massagers or massage chair cushions • Magnetic therapy products such as massagers, chair pads, bracelets, knee wraps, back
supports, slippers, or shoe insoles.

The use of magnetic mattress pads and pillows is not recommended since it would be difficult to keep a 6 inch (15 centimeter) separation from your heart device.




try it and see

by Tracey_E - 2013-12-26 08:12:42

Rule of thumb is 6". Newer pm's are well shielded, you probably won't feel anything if you get closer than 6". As Smitty said, it's not harmful to get too close, it just doesn't feel good, so it's ok to test it out.

You know you're wired when...

You have a dymo-powered bike.

Member Quotes

My pacemaker is intact and working great.