After a study carried out by cardiologists at Henry Ford Health System, it was discovered that new technologies, such as Apple's smartwatch and the iPhone 12, can cause malfunctions in mobile pacemakers and defibrillators.
This discovery, while essential for alerting users of these products, is also interesting in terms of studies in the field.
Check out the article on the relationship between smartphones and mobile pacemakers and defibrillators and what they can do to people who use these medical devices to live. Check it out.
Smartphones and smartwatches can disable pacemakers and mobile defibrillators
According to the aforementioned study, the iPhone 12 and Apple's latest generation smartwatch can negatively influence the functioning of mobile pacemakers and defibrillators, potentially disabling them and putting patients' lives at serious risk.
The main test consisted of bringing the smartphone close to the left side of the chest of individuals with medical devices implanted in their hearts, and within a few moments serious malfunctions and even shutdowns were detected.
The test was repeated dozens of times, with the cell phone in different positions, concluding that the interference occurs in this specific model because of its different technology from the others available on the market.
Although the American Heart Association had previously indicated that mobile phones offered a low risk of affecting the functioning of this type of cardiac device, with the appearance of the iPhone 12 this perspective has changed significantly.
Why is that?
More important than knowing about the problem is understanding why it happens.
The latest cell phone launched by Apple is different from the others because it has a circular array of magnets around the central charging coil.
These parts are essential for the device's various functions, such as charging.
However, they are strong enough to alter the functioning of pacemakers and mobile defibrillators, as indicated by another study by the Heart Rhythm Society.
In addition, the Apple Watch, the company's smartwatch, also has magnets to detect heart rate, which can be altered in these medical devices.
What does Apple say about this?
As expected, the company mobilized and created content on its website to warn about this condition, which can be fatal for customers who have pacemakers or mobile defibrillators.
However, despite claiming that the new iPhone model has more magnets than previous models, the company says that this shouldn't interfere with medical devices to a greater extent than other phones from the brand.
But the data shows that the main danger lies specifically with the iPhone 12, which caused mobile defibrillators to pause instantly when placed close to the chest of various patients.
What to do about it?
After learning this information, it's no surprise that many of Apple's cardiac customers are frightened, but there's no need to take drastic measures, such as donating the phone or stopping using it.
It is recommended to keep it at least 6 inches away from the chest, especially on the left, where the medical devices are located.
It is also recommended that you don't wear your smartwatch close to your chest. Sleeping with a watch on is therefore incorrect, because during the night you could put it against your chest, which could be dangerous.
Ideally, patients who use pacemakers and mobile defibrillators and have these Apple devices should contact their cardiologists and discuss this.
Now that you know about the relationship between new cell phones and their interaction with medical devices, take the opportunity to continue browsing here and readabout the relationship between Covid-19 and heart health.
