E-cigs & pacemakers.

[Chrissie]

This might sound like a stupid question but does anyone know if the e-cig batteries could cause problems with pacemakers?

Overheard a woman on the check out in Tesco's saying he husband just can't give up real cigs & due to stress is smoking even more than ever. So I told her about & demonstrated my ecig. She was gobsmacked but said she doubted her husband could use one due to it containing a battery as her husband has a pacemaker.

[hissie]

I've had a quick scan of the internet & can't seem to find any evidence which suggests that there is a problem with e-cig batteries & pacemakers. However, I did note that there is mixed opinion on forums. So maybe the lady in Tesco is being on the cautious side.

[lolli]

You can use an electric toothbrush if you have a pacemaker so an e cig should present no prob ?

(BTW what happened to Perfectionist? Anyone know?)

[knawes]

Hmmm...I've found this -

www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000097.htm
(USA link)

Which seems to infer it's those appliances with strong magnetic fields. They also say to hold your cell phone on the opposite side to the pacemaker.

[lolli]

Kath do e cigs have a strong magnetic field?
This is really interesting!

[foxy9212]

If e-cigs caused problems with pacemakers then surely all battery operated appliances would do the same and that sounds a bit unlikely. I'm pretty certain the smaller e-cigs would be perfectly harmless, after all it would be a bit dodgy for pacemaker wearers to tinker with car engines if batteries were dangerous to them. Mobile 'phones seem to have rules of their own that couldn't possibly be applied to all battery operated appliances otherwise we'd certainly have heard from the habitual scaremongering tabloids by now.

Apparently nicotine should be avoided by those with heart-problems from wherever it comes.

Fox

[knawes]

I don't know too much about it, Lolli, but I wouldn't think so. There would be so many "normal" everyday household items that you wouldn't be able to come into contact with? Transistor radios? Digital cameras? And what about the security scans in shops? The ones that bleep if you go through with an unpaid for purchase?

The British Cardiac Patients Association says - Ordinary household electrical equipment will not affect your pacemaker. This includes microwave ovens as long as they are in good working order. If your job means that you come into contact with strong electrical fields – eg arc welding, diathermy, high power radio or TV transmitters, or direct contact with car ignition systems, then you should take advice from the pacemaker technician before returning to work.

To live in todays world, I am sure the technology of pacemakers has kept up with all other technology. I err on the side of saying it's bunkum and ecigs are fine.

[Chrissie]

Hissie, I also tried googling & couldn't find much info.

Lilac, that's interesting re the electronic toothbrush.

Kath, this lady had been told the same thing re mobile phones.

I've also no idea Lolli, re the magnetic fields of e-cigs.

[knawes]

A more comprehensive list here -

www.wiganleigh.nhs.uk/internet/specialties/cardiology/pacemaker_faq.asp

[Chrissie]

Thanks Foxy & Kath

Foxy, I know that nicotine should be avoided by people with heart problems but do IMHO think that if someone with heart problems is smoking heavily & can't give up/cut down, then the e-cig would be a far better alternative for them.

Apologies for any crossed posts/delays in answering - my internet connection keeps dropping

[lolli]

Well I would have thought it wasn't a prob.
Perhaps the lady was a little over cautious?

[Chrissie]

TBH Lolli, I think most people are a tad over cautious when I first show them my GG It really might have helped more if I'd had a smaller generic e-cig with me but I don't use them any more.

[lolli]

Jul 20, 2010 21:14:17 GMT Chrissie said:

Foxy, I know that nicotine should be avoided by people with heart problems but do IMHO think that if someone with heart problems is smoking heavily & can't give up/cut down, then the e-cig would be a far better alternative for them.

Definitely

[Chrissie]

I knew you would understand (((Lolli)))

From looking at Kath's first link I'm really not sure though as it mentions keeping "battery powered cordless tools (such as screwdrivers and drills)" at least 12" away

[lolli]

I'll try to remember to ask when I see my cardiologist