Subwoofers

Loud noise

by Gemita - 2020-12-24 04:16:54

Sydney.A95,

I cannot tell you technically why this might be happening, although there are contributors here who will be able to, but I can tell you that I too with my dual lead conventional pacemaker have had similar problems in the past due to noise levels. 

I foolishly agreed to attend a Carnival in London in 2018 soon after getting my pacemaker.  In the frenzy of loud, vibratory music, the beating of drums, high/low pitched sounds, keeping an eye on hubby surrounded by beautiful dancers decked out in colourful feathers barely covering their bodies, my heart took off, or perhaps my pacemaker did.  The sensations I felt in my heart were very strong and uncomfortable, from chest pain, racing, slowing, fibrillating, fluttering.  I felt unsteady and had to find a seat quickly.  My heart slowly incredibly recovered as I moved away from the penetrating music and vibrations of the moving bands, although I lost hubby in the process.

I suggest you try to keep volumes low as far as possible or leave Subwoofer off, to avoid any adverse effects and conflict with your pacemaker.  I suffer from arrhythmias and loud noise will trigger tachycardia and other rhythm disturbances quickly for me, perhaps it is the same for you?  That would be by main concern.

You might be spot on about the over sensing.  Perhaps your clinic can make some slight pacemaker adjustments to make settings less sensitive.  Worth asking and telling them about your symptoms.  Do you like classical music.  You could always try different sounds until you find something more soothing, less likely to trigger symptoms.  It will be trial and error until you get to know your little device and how it might be affected by our daily activities.  Lots to learn but don't be afraid of it.  

I think you should report this formally

by crustyg - 2020-12-24 07:52:53

Hi: I think there's a real chance that what you are feeling is a genuine effect on the PM caused by low-frequency pressure waves from the sub-woofer.  Anyone who has been to a good rock concert knows that you *feel* the music (at least the bass and drums) as much as hear it. Yes, I know, Aging Rocker, that's me...

Your PM has some very sensitive motion sensing and it woudn't surprise me if this is being affected by low-frequency pressure waves from the sound system, at much the right timings to be interpreted as being from your heart (you only have to remember the intro to 10cc's 'I'm Not In Love' to see how this might be.  You'll have to look it up - 1975).

Whilst avoiding these sounds makes perfect sense for you, there's an important component to product safety (also applies to drugs, immunisations etc.) which is the post-marketing surveillance.  You really *ought* to make a formal report of what you feel, when, and, if possible, any objective data (chest-strap HR, smart-watch readings, Kardia-mobile recordings) so that the manufacturer can be made aware of this.

This is *NOT* you making a complaint: it's a vital part of picking up infrequent side-effects/complications which may help others (and may help the manufacturer spot a possible improvement).

Subwoofers

by AgentX86 - 2020-12-24 13:09:32

There is no way any electrical/magnetic fields could be causing this problem.  First, unless you're sleeping on your speakers, the fields wouldn't be strong enough.  Second, since you have a Micra, there are no leads to couple any magnetic fields to your PM.  Is your pacemaker programmed for rate response?  If so (as others have noted), the sound pressure waves at a concert may be causing the PM to think you're running and beat faster to compensate.   This could concievably  mimic atrial tachycardia.

Riding in your car, with or without the music cranked, can do the same thing. Motion is motion.  Perhaps your rate response is too sensitive.  This is a common setting  that usually does need to be adjusted to match your lifesyle.  I prefer mine to be more sensitive because I don't like the lag climbing stairs, for instance. I put up with this "unnecessary" increase in heart rate, trading it for a little more performance at other tasks. After only ten days, or so, since my last increase in sensitivity, I rarely notice the "problem".

If you're having a problem regularly, go to your device clinic and see what they can do to fix your problem.

I know it'll fall on "deaf ears" but perhaps the volume is a bit high for your well being?

Good vibrations - not!

by Theknotguy - 2020-12-26 13:34:41

I've reported on this forum several times about my pacemaker being kicked into overdrive by vibrations.  The first time it happened the guy with me came over and asked if I was OK.  "You had the strangest look on your face!", he said.  

What I had done was to use a reciprocating Saws-all saw, and using my left arm to bear down on the cutting.  The vibration went up my arm and started jiggling the pacemaker.  The accelerometer in my pacemaker thought I was running and kicked my heart rate way up.  I now use the saw on my right side.

Driving in a car in some construction areas where the road is rough will have the same effect.  And the running joke at the wood shop where I volunteer is that I give all the drivers of the big trucks a Roman salute as I'm riding with them.  We're usually going somewhere with the trucks empty and they bounce all over the place.  Same thing, the vibration jiggles my pacemaker, kicks off the accelerometer, and the silly thing thinks I'm running.  Then it kicks up my heart rate for no good reason.  

I've also run into the same problem riding on a bus.  We were on a trip and the leader of the group had us change seats every day.  One set of seats seemed to be in harmonic vibration with the diesel engine and it was bothering my pacemaker all day.  As AgentX86 says, vibration is vibration.  

Other than the first time when I didn't expect it, I've found out if I just reach over with my right hand and stop the pacemaker from being shaken by the vibration the problem goes away.  Hence the Roman salute for the truck drivers.  

Based upon your description, your sub-woofers are causing a sympathetic vibration with your pacemaker and the accelerometer thinks you're running. Hence the fluttering feeling.  I would imagine your options are - 1) turn down the sub-woofers a little, 2) Hold your pacemaker with your hand so it stops vibrating, 3) enjoy the sensation no one else is getting.  

You can talk with your EP about turning down the rate response, but that can mean your pacemaker doesn't respond when you need that sudden kick to maker your heart beat faster.  

Label this as something no one tells you about having a pacemaker and go on with your life.  
 

good/ bad / indifferent vibrations

by Persephone - 2020-12-26 14:11:12

I second the recommendations here about vibrations rather than some kind of EM interference.  In addition to experiencing this feeling post-PM implant when in a loud music scene such as Gemita describes, I had similar experiences at live rock concerts where there was huge bass way prior to PM implant, and I know I'm not the only one.  Thought I'd have to leave a time or two.  If you enjoy your home sound system, by all means use it and feel safe, but discomfort is not supposed to be part of the deal (unless you're intentionally watching a really scary movie :)