Pacemaker and Arc Welding

LJMac

New User
Just had a pacemaker put in after quadruple by pas 9 yrs ago, one stint 8 mos. later --now a stint inside the one inthere in May 2014. Heart slowing down to 32 beats per min. had pacemaker put in July 15, 2014, now have atrial-fibulation-so rat poison is in my diet. My question- With some precautions --clothing, gloves etc. can I still arc-stick weld ? I weld almost every day--it;s my way of life. Dr. also said not to run chainsaw --not because of unsafe getting cut, but because of electrial interferiance to pacemaker. I make my own wood and soly heat the house. Thanks for your input, LJ
 
I've heard that the cyclic rate of the current for SMAW or GMAW/FCAW is not a problem, but that the modified frequency of GTAW (TIG) can be hazardous. I agree with SD Pete that this is really a question for your cardiologist, except that you need to make sure that he or she addresses the specific situation. You don't want to be shut out of your way of life simply because a doctor decides that the safest approach (for him/her) is to just say no---regardless of whether it's necessary.

Stan
 
I had pacemaker put in Nov. of 2011 and both cardioligst and manufacturer( Medtronics) said NOT to do any arc welding, as well as no chainsaw. In fact, I've been waiting since 8:00 this morning for a man to show up and cut up a tree for me. I guess a persons word don't mean much anymore.
 
Thanks everyone for the ideas. Is there anyone on here that has a pacemaker and continues to arc weld ? If so, what precautions do you take? My cardioligest just said not to weld or run chainsaw. I would think there is something to put over my shoulders and cover my chest, that would repel the danger 'rays'. maybe something like a Xray blanket? Thanks again LJ
 
I would ask at least one cardiologist. A guy we know that had a combination pacemaker and defibrilator. He was welding on a hot day for quite a while. His defibrilator kicked in and he passed out. His daughter figured it would be good idea to give him cpr entil the ambulance came. He was laying in damp grass. She said she got quite a jolt from his lips. He lived another 13 years and died at 86.
 
It is an electromagnetic field, not Xray.

Is your life worth taking a chance? It would be a good idea to follow your doctors advice.
 
No offence but if I thought a Doctor was smart enough to open my chest and stick a couple wires straight into my heart and not kill me in the process I dang sure woulden't decide he was stupid to warn me not to weld. Your life so do what you want.

BTW - Years ago I worked at a Deere dealership a while. Their head mechanic had a pacemaker put in and I had to pick up the welding duties because he no longer could.
 
Maybe switch to a gas welder?

You probably haven't gotten all the bills from your May, 2014 surgery yet. Total up what you and your insurance company paid to get that pacemaker put in. It will cost even more if you have to replace your pace maker or worst happens. For that kind of money you could easily take all your welding to someone else, and buy firewood for many many happy years. Doctors and surgeons charge a lot more per hour than welders ever can.
 
I got a defib unit last year.. been selling welders, and may sell chainsaws. 128,000 was what my surgery cost... Not worth messing that up, or taking a chance on dying..
 
The cardiologist wont know till the pacemaker rep tells him(the rep is the one who probably installed it anyway).
A magnet is what is used to turn on, off, up and down your pacemaker.
Either do what you are told or prepay your last expenses.
 
Why is my favorite question. Why? I'd avoid it until I have all the reasons then I could make a decision. Are chain saws no but weedeaters yes? What about backpack blowers? If we're talking high rpm magneto ignition being a problem seems a backpack blower would be worse than a chainsaw as it's a lot closer to your pacemaker and used full power for longer periods of time.

There is so many things creating electromagnetic waves these days what else do you avoid? Airport scanners? Large transformers? Microwave ovens?

I'd be like a kid when he told me that. Why? (his answer). Why? (frustrated doctor admitting that's what he was told). By whom? Device manufacturer. What's their contact info? etc. etc.

In our sue happy society it's most likely the mfg didn't want the liability of saying it "should" be ok so they say no to anything questionable. Look at the airlines. NO electronics in use on the plane! Now it seems they are admitting it's in all likelihood safe but they're still are reluctant to allow it because what if. So from your prospective where do you draw the line--it's your life.

I'd also want to know what do they think it's going to do? Turn off? Go berserk and shock you to death? Does exposure to a chainsaw permanently damaged it or is it only impaired in some way while the chainsaw is running?
 
What I want to know is, why a chainsaw and not a weed wacker or a lawn mower or a car or a truck or a tractor? They all have high-voltage ignition systems.

Frankly, I think they don't want you to use a chainsaw because it's hard work and stress on your heart. They're just hiding behind the "oh it'll mess up your pacemaker" rather than having to be up front and tell you that you're too frail to be doing that kind of stuff anymore. There's probably a history of chainsaw wielding pacemaker patients running amok in doctors' offices after receiving the bad news.
 
(quoted from post at 09:11:16 08/07/14) What I want to know is, why a chainsaw and not a weed wacker or a lawn mower or a car or a truck or a tractor? They all have high-voltage ignition systems.

Frankly, I think they don't want you to use a chainsaw because it's hard work and stress on your heart. They're just hiding behind the "oh it'll mess up your pacemaker" rather than having to be up front and tell you that you're too frail to be doing that kind of stuff anymore. There's probably a history of chainsaw wielding pacemaker patients running amok in doctors' offices after receiving the bad news.

Like the others have said, the Dr. knows best. Buuutttt here is the low down. It depends on which model Pacer they put in. Some have a lot of shielding, to protect it from the E.M pulses some less so. The best thing to do is google your pacemaker model to see what is possible. They always tell you no, but when you read what is and isn't possible. You can make a better informed judgment. Also call the manufacturer, tell them what you want to do and they will tell you yes no or maybe. In my case they said try it for 5 seconds, then 10, then 20, so on and so forth. If I felt any discomfort, or dizziness to immediately stop (TIG welding). I've used a chainsaw plenty. The key for most is keeping the source of energy as far from the pacer as possible. It really depends on the model they put in you, so find that out and guide yourself from there.
 
I had a pacemaker defibulator put in last year at the age of forty. mine is made by saint jude the rep told me that I was safe up to 400amps I have been welding with a 250 miller wire feed with no problems.they said I could not use a plasma cutter no more
 
Thanks again for all the repleys. My pacemaker is a St Judes PM2210. The pacemaker Teck said to tell them at the airport that I had a pacemaker. No welding and no chainsaws. I goggle my pacemaker model and about all I get is the lawsuits about the leads. no usefull info about my quistion. All info is from 2011 and 2012. If you have some experiance with welding with a pacemaker--I would like to hear from you Thanks LJ
 

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