Motorized Power Tools

Power Tools

by doublehorn48 - 2021-02-10 12:29:19

I've never had a leaf blower,  a rake is more exercise.  But anything else I've never had a problem using with my pacemaker.  You shouldn't have any problems.  If the grass gets too tall I can't blame my pacemaker.

Power tools

by AgentX86 - 2021-02-10 12:59:18

My EP is conservative, probably because I'm dependent and have no escape rhythm, but he's "forbidden" (aka told my wife) that I'm not to use a riding lawnmower or use any other tool that has an automotive style (i.e. usa a battery  for electric start) ignition system and to be very cautious about working under the hood on cars.  The issue is proximity to the alternator.  The operator of a riding mower is essentially sitting on the alternator and working under the hood may place one leaning right on the alternator.

Tools with magneto style ignition systems aren't a problem as long as they're held 12" from the PM. Weed whackers, chainsaws and things like that are in this category.  His opinion of backpack blowers was extreme caution.

As I said, he's quite conservative and I'm sorta a special case but this is something you really have to ask your EP.  He would know better what your situation is and what that really means to you.

Motorized Power Tools

by Cooldog - 2021-02-10 13:17:57

Thank you guys.  Great advice.  I really apprecviate it.

Interesting info AgentX86

by jds66 - 2021-02-10 15:18:40

I did read all about the things I should not do when I got my first pacer in 2012. Don't go by big electrical boxes, don't go through airport metal detectors. Don't go through automatically opening doors at stores. Don't walk under power lines, the list is endless. 

I guess the key is proximity of anything to the pacer. I would not lay down on a large magent myself, even if I could find one, because I know that a big magnet would send the pacer into an asynchronus mode, which is simply, it would beat you at I believe 85 bpm. (VOO is the mode name for dual chamber with a magnet applied).

I know this because I needed that help when my EP misprogrammed my timings and I ended up in a pacer loop that caused a unstoppable tachy episode. The ER cardiologist put the magent on me, and that turned the pacer to the OOO Mode and slowed me down to 85 unit the Medtronic rep could come to fix my EP's programming error. It was no fun stumbling into the ER that day. 

Anyway, back on point. I guess knowing what your contition is, is the most important thing. If something happened to me, I have a junctional escape rhythm, that while gives me bad symptoms that I choose to not medicate or take a chance with an ablation on fixing, would keep me going. 

I have never had issues with using a riding mower, chainsaw, leaf blowers on my back or any other device. Honestly, never even heard that I could not use those devices. And, there is usually distances of feet between my pacer and any device I use. 

Also, on a regular basis in the good weather, have 2 old cars(Pre 1970) that have old style alternators, etc. I have worked pretty closely there also, as close as you can get to them when working in an engine bay, with no issue. 

I also do try to keep my cell phone in the opposite jacket pocket if I am outside in the winter and put it up in a pocket by my chest to keep the phone warm. Again, I dont think I have ever had an issue, but figure why take the chance. 

Depends on your condition, but I have to wonder how many of the restricitions we are told are CYA things, or actually do happen or are old outmoded thinking and the devices have changed. Things like MRI's used to be a no no, but with some devices now, you can have those also. 

Maybe things have changed and the advice has lagged behind?

Restrictions

by AgentX86 - 2021-02-10 19:00:01

Yes, most restrictions are CYA and some, franlky, laughable. 

You're right, when a magnet is applied the PM will go into an asynchronous mode (not sure it's always VOO, though).  That's not the issue.  The issue is oversensing which may cause a PM to inhibit.  If there is no decent escape rhythm, it's not a good situation to be in.  Since my AV node and bundle of HIS has been ablated, there can't be a junctional rhythm (a CHB can put one in exactly the same situation). Any ventricular rhythm isn't reliable and is usually too slow to maintain consiousness for long. Again, the only reliable information for you has to come from your EP. If you don't trust that information you have bigger problems.

BTW, all cars since the Model-T's hand crank have similar ignition systems.  It's the alternator that's the problem. Some antiques had generators but you'd need a Wayback Machine to find one of them.