Welding and Pacemaker

[Tractor Seabee]

Well today a Angiogram determined that my cardiac problem is not caused by plaque in arteries. Doctor wants to install a pacemaker to solve my problem with fluid retention in the legs and feet. I have heard conflicting stories about the effect welding has on those devices. One I like is if you use DC mode, keep amps below 160, keep away from leads and even twisting them around each other the effect is virtually eliminated. What makes sense is to avoid AC machines as the emit more RF which makes sense. I was not aware of whether the DC arc itself generates RF which is the apparent culprit.

Any friends here on TBN have experience with welding with a pacemaker? I have some decisions to make. Thanks in advance for your experiences.

Ron

 

[Big Barn]

Sorry to hear of your electrical problem, Ron. Hopefully the pacemaker will make it all good . My heart problem was plumbing.

 

[dragoneggs]

Ron, you can always go back to Oxy-Acetylene welding! Wishing you the best!

 

[Tractor Seabee]

Ron, you can always go back to Oxy-Acetylene welding! Wishing you the best!

Mark, I will for projects that it works for. Actually I am still a better O/A welder than arc any day like heavier materials. Up to 3/8 thick I can O/A in one pass with full penetration. Some things arc is better, especially with distortion problems.

Ron

 

[dragoneggs]

Mark, I will for projects that it works for. Actually I am still a better O/A welder than arc any day like heavier materials. Up to 3/8 thick I can O/A in one pass with full penetration. Some things arc is better, especially with distortion problems.

Ron

I know... love my MIG and I suck at O/A and stick.

 

[Smokeydog]

There’s a new type of pacemaker that is more electromagnetic proof. My dad was one of the first recipients of the newer type. Compatible with newer medical imaging and reduces hazards from electrical shock. Lots of people with pacemakers work with electrical shock hazards. Technology breakthrough noted in local paper. That was about 6-7 years ago. Please discuss concerns with your cardiologist.

 

[yomax4]

Another thing to ask about ( unless it doesn't apply to you ) is low pulse frequency. When you get down into the single digit pulses per second it can mess with pace makers and can even encourage seizures. Although pretty rare. it was something I was taught during training time ago. Good Luck.

 

[Captain Dirty]

Well today a Angiogram determined that my cardiac problem is not caused by plaque in arteries. Doctor wants to install a pacemaker to solve my problem with fluid retention in the legs and feet. I have heard conflicting stories about the effect welding has on those devices. One I like is if you use DC mode, keep amps below 160, keep away from leads and even twisting them around each other the effect is virtually eliminated. What makes sense is to avoid AC machines as the emit more RF which makes sense. I was not aware of whether the DC arc itself generates RF which is the apparent culprit.

Any friends here on TBN have experience with welding with a pacemaker? I have some decisions to make. Thanks in advance for your experiences.

Ron

I had an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) implanted after an episode of ventricular tachycardia in 2016. It has some pacemaker functions, and I have learned to call it a pacemaker when talking with non-medical types. The manufacturer of my ICD, Medtronics, has an extensive list of things to avoid with specific advice on their website including welding. As a hobbyist weldor I expected a knee-jerk "no" from the cardiologist if I asked about welding so I phrased my question "If I follow the welding guidelines outlined on Medtronic's website, may I weld?" He got back to me with an affirmative.

Go to Medtronic's website ands read them yourself. You had many of the precautions in your original post, but there were others, some of which I no longer recall. I do remember them advising to have someone around who knew how to shut down the welding machine if something happened, and I did have my son stand by the first few times I welded. I have a Lincoln buzz box and a Miller 211, keep the amps < 160, bring the leads in from my right side, ground as close to the work as practicable, and have had no problems (other than my poor skills).

There are a whole bunch of other lifestyle alterations like keeping the device more than 6" away from spark pugs and ignition wires, cell phones, etc. I have forgotten on occasion and only later realized I had carried my cell phone in the "Napoleon" pocket of a rain jacket (no incident); leaned in to reach there transmission fluid dipstick while the engine was running (again no incident). Modern pacemaker devices have supposedly become more sophisticated and less sensitive which is a good thing given the proliferation of electromagnetic pulses, WIFI for example.)

Best wishes,
Captain Dirty