Traveling with a pacemaker

Video: Flying with a pacemaker - full body scan

Content

To step
Tips
Warnings
Necessities

A pacemaker is a device that is surgically placed in a patient's chest cavity to monitor an abnormal heartbeat. Pacemakers are often used to treat heart conditions such as arrhythmias, where the heart rate is fast or slow. The device creates an electrical pulse that regulates the heart rate responsible for the circulation of blood through the patient's body. Pacemakers can be temporary or permanent, and modern versions can provide data on the patient's vital signs. Pacemakers are electronic, but some versions are coated with metal. If you plan to travel, it is important to adhere to the protocol regarding invisible restrictions. Read on to learn how to travel with a pacemaker.

To step

Ask your doctor if your pacemaker contains metal. Some versions do not contain metal and will not cause problems when going through a metal detector in the airport.
Ask your doctor for an official card that states you have a pacemaker. These are official cards, usually provided by your doctor's office or the pacemaker manufacturer, and can alert safety personnel that there is metal in your body.
Do not travel for a considerable amount of time after implantation of the pacemaker. Depending on your age, it can take anywhere from six months to a year before a long car journey back is recommended. Consult your doctor for information on when you can travel back.
Talk to your doctor before you travel. Ask your doctor if there are any activities you should avoid while traveling. Also try to get advice on what to do if your device breaks down while you are away from a hospital.
Register as disabled when you book your ticket. This is a good idea if you are traveling by plane, train or boat as it will inform the travel agency of your medical concerns. You can also indicate whether or not you need a wheelchair.
Inform the airport security personnel in advance that you have a metal-coated pacemaker and show them your card. You will likely be taken to another control site where they can see through a special wall that the part above your heart is the only place where the detector detects metal.
- There have been reports of metal detectors interfering with pacemakers or other medical devices. There is no evidence that your pacemaker can be disrupted in flight.
- If your doctor has told you that a metal detector can cause problems, you can ask security personnel to be personally checked after showing them your pacemaker identification card.
Wrap a small towel around the seat belt at your chest if you are traveling by car for a long time. Scar tissue can cause that part of your body to become sensitive over time and by doing this you can limit the burden.
Ask if there is a security system in the places where you will spend the night. These can interfere with pacemakers and should be turned off before entering a home or hotel with such a system. Inform the staff, your family or a friend in advance.
Know that your pacemaker can set off an alarm at an airport library or retailer. Don't hang around these places. Go back to the store or library and show your pacemaker identification card to the guard and have it inspected if necessary.
- Never hang around for long periods near electronic devices. This can be a device in a museum or a large system with boxes. These devices can interfere with a pacemaker.
Get a list of places where a pacemaker can be repaired while you are traveling. Your device manufacturer, such as Medtronic, has information on their website with addresses of local hospitals and doctor's offices that can help restore a pacemaker if it fails.

Tips

Some people feel uncomfortable being escorted separately to a separate check-up area. This is a standard procedure for anyone with metal implants, such as knee or hip replacements. While it may take longer, it is not an indication that you have done anything wrong. You can ask the security officer to be discreet when conducting a personal check with a metal detector.
Many travelers choose to invest in travel medical insurance. This is an especially good idea for people who suffer from chronic conditions and who travel to countries with no social reciprocal medical agreements. You may have to pay more for insurance for someone with a pacemaker, but it will give you peace of mind while you travel.

Warnings

Do not stand under an electronic metal detector for more than 15 seconds. Research has shown that this can interfere with a pacemaker. Most people walk through a metal detector in less than 5 seconds