Pacemaker Hacking

I read that Dick Cheney had his wireless PM disabled due to potential hacking. I read that whilst reading a list of famous people who have pacemakers. 

Is this for real? 

Someone else also told me about this hacking scam, as they had seen a programme on it. Anyone any thoughts on this?

Are there any obvious advantages to a wireless Pacemaker? Do the batteries run out quicker?

Thanks!

4 Comments

Hacking - not bothered

by LondonAndy - 2017-10-22 06:25:52

If you use the search function of this forum (top right) for "hacking" you will see that this has been discussed several times before and most of us are not bothered.

wireless

by Tracey_E - 2017-10-22 08:52:39

You could be referring to two things. There is a new wireless pacemaker that doesn't have leads called the Micra. It works totally differently than regular pacers with leads.

Then there is remote monitoring. I have no idea if Dick Cheney has this turned off but most of the new pacers have this. Newer ones have the same or better battery life than the old ones. All they do is MONITOR, so if someone were to hack in they'd just be reading the reports. I don't lose any sleep over this. I get bored reading my own reports. The only way the device can be programmed is if someone is within a few feet of us with a computer that works on our particular device. Again, nothing I lose sleep over. 

I hated the remote monitor when they first gave it to me but I've come to appreciate it. My first complaint was I didnt' want the box in my face every morning reminding my my heart runs on a computer. The tech said as long as it's within 10' of where I sleep it'll work, so it lives wrapped in a towel under my bed. Having it means I only go in once a year now, the other checks are done automatically and I get an email a few days later telling me all is good. Having it means when I had a funky episode in the middle of the night, I was able to hit a button and my doc looked at it the next day, no office visit required. Having it means the night I was headed to the ER, I was able to hit the download button before I left home so when I got to the hospital the doc could get the report and quickly eliminate cardiac. In the past, they would have dragged in a St Judes rep to do the download. Handy little timesaver. But I still don't want to look at it and so it will continue to reside under the bed. 

hacking!

by Pm - 2017-10-22 21:40:53

When i heard there is a recall on the st. judes pm i called them and they said that it is not like a recall on a car.  It means it can be hacked.  So.....he said to mention it when i go in for a check next month and they will make an adjustment so that hacking becomes impossible.  I will, of course do that,  but i really don't forsee any problems.   Nothing to worry about. Good luck!

Thanks!

by Maverick - 2017-10-23 14:23:07

Thanks for your comments. Much appreciated. Now I know that's its just readings I am not that bothered. Just as long as they cant control It! Lol

You know you're wired when...

Your pacemaker receives radio frequencies.

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