Pacemaker Girl

How does a laptop interfer with the home unit?

3 Comments

Hi Scotter :D

by pacergirl - 2008-09-07 06:09:11

While conducting a recent phone check at my kitchen table... I could hear this voice coming from the phone... (Lisa) the phone check tech. said that she was getting weird readings and she was panicking that I might be without the pacemaker working at all! I then spied my laptop sitting right next to the EKG. It appears that my MacBook Pro laptop computer causes a big problem. The phone check was completed without any other problems after I moved the laptop.

I have had this problem twice, as I am usually typing a message or two while enjoying my morning coffee.

How or what causes the interference is beyond my understanding. Maybe Peter N. or Electric Frank might be able to explain it?

Hope this helps you, :D
Pacergirl

Hi it's not a notebook...it's much larger :)

by pacergirl - 2008-09-08 08:09:38

Hi Frank,
The laptop is very powerful as it is the 15" MAC. :-) I use it for very large graphic files.
My EKG unit does have the electrodes that go onto my arms. I never move my arms about during the test and I use a magnet during the session as well. The computer can't even be on the same table top or anywhere near it. I was hoping you might know what was causing the interference and I was right! he he. I had no idea about the radio frequency interference and the laptop. Interesting!
Thank you for your thoughts, as they are always appreciated.... :-) Now.... let me see... where is that home EKG unit? Maybe I can start the the phone check ladies day off on the right foot! he he... have a great day everyone.
Pacergirl

Possible

by ElectricFrank - 2008-09-08 12:09:47

If your home check unit has an ECG (electrodes you put on your body) then the notebook could cause interference. The signals picked up by the ECG are very small and the leads on the typical ECG aren't shielded so they are susceptible. A notebook computer radiates quite a bit of radio frequency interference.
By the way were you typing on the computer during the checkup? If the ECG leads are on your arms as is common the muscle movements from typing (of mousing) could also cause a weird looking ECG.
My home unit only has a magnetic pickup that I place over the pacer and it isn't bothered by my computer near it.

frank

You know you're wired when...

You have an excuse for being a couch potato.

Member Quotes

We are ALIVE! How wonderful is modern medicine.