A pacemaker is a small, battery-powered medical device that uses electrical impulses to regulate an abnormal heart rhythm. It is implanted under the skin, usually near the collarbone, with thin wires running to the heart muscle. The main concern near security systems is electromagnetic interference (EMI), which could disrupt the pacemaker’s normal function. Although modern pacemakers have advanced shielding, security screening equipment generates strong electromagnetic fields that may temporarily affect the device. Understanding the risks associated with different types of scanners helps individuals navigate security checkpoints safely.
Understanding the Risk: How Electromagnetic Fields Affect Pacemakers
A pacemaker senses the heart’s natural electrical activity and delivers a pulse only when needed. The device is sensitive to external electromagnetic fields, which can be mistakenly interpreted as a natural heart signal. This misinterpretation can cause the pacemaker to temporarily inhibit its pacing function, a condition known as oversensing.
In response to sustained interference, a pacemaker may revert to a fixed-rate, or asynchronous, pacing mode. In this mode, it delivers pulses at a constant rate regardless of the heart’s own rhythm. While this effect is usually temporary and resolves once the interference source is removed, it can cause symptoms in individuals who rely heavily on their device.
Modern pacemakers are designed with shielded circuitry to minimize susceptibility to EMI. The risk of permanent damage to the device’s programming or hardware from routine security screening is very low. Protocols are in place to prevent even a brief, reversible functional disturbance, especially for patients who are pacemaker-dependent.
Navigating Different Security Screening Methods
Security checkpoints typically utilize three types of electronic screening equipment, each presenting a different level of risk to a pacemaker.
Walk-Through Metal Detectors
Walk-through metal detectors, or magnetometers, use a low-frequency electromagnetic field to detect metal objects. The risk from these archways is minimal, provided the person walks through at a normal, steady pace without stopping or leaning on the frame. The pacemaker’s metal casing will often set off the alarm, but the brief exposure time is generally insufficient to cause a sustained functional change.
Handheld Metal Detector Wands
Handheld wands present a higher risk because they emit a more concentrated electromagnetic field and are passed in very close proximity to the implanted device. This focused energy has a greater potential to induce temporary oversensing or mode switching. The risk increases significantly if the wand is held stationary over the pacemaker site for more than a moment, as this prolongs the exposure to the concentrated field.
Millimeter-Wave Scanners
Millimeter-wave scanners, often called full-body scanners, are the preferred electronic screening method for individuals with implanted devices. These machines use high-frequency, non-ionizing radio waves that do not penetrate the body deeply enough to interact with the device’s circuitry. Studies have shown these scanners pose no threat to pacemakers, and the scan time is very short. Security personnel can use this technology as a safe alternative to metal detectors.
Essential Preparation and Screening Protocols
The most effective way to ensure a smooth screening process is to communicate clearly with security staff before any electronic scanning begins. Individuals with a pacemaker should inform the security officer immediately upon entering the screening area that they have an implanted cardiac device. This immediate disclosure allows the staff to implement alternative screening procedures.
Carrying the Pacemaker Identification Card is also important for travel or entry into secured areas. This card provides personnel with information about the device manufacturer and model, confirming the medical necessity of alternative screening. Having this documentation readily available helps prevent delays.
Security organizations, such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), advise against using the walk-through metal detector for those with pacemakers. Instead, patients should request alternative screening methods:
- Request a physical pat-down inspection.
- Ask to use the millimeter-wave scanner, which is safe for the device.
- Request a quick, visual inspection of the device site.
- If a handheld wand must be used, instruct the operator not to hold it over the device pocket for more than a second.
The safest approach is to request the pat-down procedure, which can be performed in a private screening area if preferred, to avoid any potential electromagnetic interaction entirely.