TABLETS, MAGNETS & HEALTH ALERTS

One of the most popular forms of electronics on the market today is the Tablet. It doesn't matter if it's the Samsung Galaxy series, the Apple iPad  or the Microsoft Pro. They are all versatile, light, compact, powerful, and portable with amazing screen resolution. As a professional writer and passionate photographer, the Tablet was on my short list of "next" purchases. It may be on yours as well but read on before you buy.

Because my camera's battery charger was damaged on a recent trip to Europe, I made the decision to buy a Tablet sooner than later. I was in love with my choice and wanting to take good care of my new equipment, read the owner's manual up to page 52 where it said - WARNING . . . (I'm now paraphrasing because I returned it before copying the exact verbiage but it went something like this): WARNING: If you wear a pacemaker or other such medical device, check with your cardiologist before using. Nowadays, legalese cautions are affixed everywhere; to the point that most of us gloss over the jargon. This one struck me as more serious and for the sake of full disclosure as a "pacer girl," the question became, why?

David Needle (May 10, 2013) iPad Magnets Can Interfere with Pacemakers, but . . . traced the origin to a 14-year-old student from Stockton, California, Gianna Chien, who (with the help of her cardiologist father), did a study of the effects on implantable cardiac devices (ICD) as part of a school science project. Her findings showed that if the Tablets are held close to the chest, it will indeed interfere with the ICDs.

Statistics indicate approximately six million people world-wide wear pacemakers and 100,000 US citizens (600,000 world-wide) join the club every year. Pacemakers are used to regulate the heart rate and control abnormal heart rhythms. Some patients have an added benefit of a pulse generator which offers an electrical charge if the heart goes into a thready fibrillation. These are 3" life-saving devices that allow people to live normal, productive lives. Some writers will try to convince you the recipients are older and very frail. As a member of the "pacer" club, I can say with some authority, the people I know who are pacer mates are active and fully participating even though many of them are in their seventies.

What is causing all this fuss? The culprit is the internal magnets used along the Tablet's left edge; on the right side of the front of the glass; and in the protective covers used to sheath the devices.

Vidya Harrysingh, a St. Jude Medical Tech Services representative, explained the concern the medical community has regarding the use of Tablets which is echoed by the American Heart Association. "It's possible for people using their Tablet as an eBook reader to fall asleep with the Tablet resting on their chest. For some pacemaker patients this can raise their heart rate from 60 to 90 beats per minute. For those depending on a pulse generator, the necessary message from ICD to heart may be inhibited causing a potentially serious situation. Another scenario is this: you're on vacation waiting to take a picture with your Tablet. Most people hold their Tablet next to their chest as they wait."

The two suggestions from the electronic industry (buried in their owner's manuals) are: 1) Maintain at least 6" of separation from the Tablet to the chest; and 2) discuss with your cardiologist prior to purchasing this product. Wise words but shouldn't that be stated somewhere (like the outside of the merchandise box) rather than page 52 of the owner's manual?

Jo Ann V. Glim is a 40 year veteran of  freelance writing and author of the Book "Begotten With Love." To learn more:

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