Microwave Ovens & Heart Pacers

Older Model Pacemakers

• Older model pacemakers lacked two important elements current-model pacemakers possess: sophistication and shielding. Back when microwave ovens were considered an emerging technology, the idea formed that the microwaves produced by the oven---those invisible beams of radiation that travel through the air and our bodies every day---could interfere with the pacing settings within the pacemakers. Pacemakers have evolved in sophistication at an exponential rate. This includes microwave shielding as a device safety feature.

Nonionizing Verses Ionizing Microwave Radiation Exposure

• Two kinds of microwaves (not microwave appliances) exist in our world: ionizing and nonionizing. Both kinds of radiation surround us all the time. Nonionizing radiation is a safer form of radiation that is emitted by electrical appliances and radio towers. Ionizing radiation is produced in nature. Even though people might worry about microwaves interfering with medical devices, there is no way to completely remove microwave hazards from the modern life.

Nonionizing Microwave Exposure

• Nonionizing microwaves are created by electromagnetic devices, as well as in nature. It is important to realize that the kinds of microwaves emitted from a microwave oven are nonionizing. Nonionizing microwaves are found almost everywhere in our modern environment. Light bulbs, cell phones, AM/FM/Citizen Band (CB) radios, remote controls, televisions and Wi-Fi devices all emit some form and measurable quantity of microwaves. It is interesting to note that many current pacemakers have Wi-Fi components within the devices.

Ionizing Microwave Exposure

• Ionizing microwave radiation is bad news. Ultraviolet radiation is emitted by the sun. Luckily, the ozone layer filters much of that radiation. If you have ever had sunburn, you know that UV radiation can cause damage to human tissues. Another form of ionizing radiation is X-rays. X-rays are widely used in the medical field. A sunny day or a broken foot have more potential to cause damage to your body than your microwave appliance.

Assessing Your Risks

• If you still feel uncertain about the safety of your pacemaker, it would be advisable to contact the clinic or office that follows the health of your device. Pacemaker technicians are well-versed in microwave-exposure risks. Clinicians can also give patients with devices the customer support numbers to device manufacturers. This is a subject that is not new to anyone in the field, and device companies are used to this type of inquiry.