Can I safely use a mobile phone if I have a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD)?

Pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) are vital technologies designed to manage cardiac arrhythmias. A pacemaker sends electrical signals to stimulate the heart to beat at a normal rate [1], while an ICD continuously monitors the heart rhythm and, upon detecting dangerous rhythms, delivers an electrical shock to restore normal rhythm or prevent cardiac arrest [2]. Given these sensitive functions, patients often ask about the safety of using mobile phones and electronic devices near these implanted devices.

The Impact of Magnetic Fields and Consumer Devices

Recent studies and recommendations from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) confirm that some consumer electronic devices, including mobile phones and smartwatches, contain magnets with high magnetic field strength. In certain circumstances, these magnets can cause implanted medical devices to switch into "magnet mode," leading to the suspension of normal device operations, such as the ICD's ability to detect dangerous tachycardia, or altering the operation of a pacemaker [4].

Safety Guidelines and Safe Distance

The FDA recommends that patients with implanted medical devices follow simple precautionary measures to ensure their safety and avoid any magnetic interference that could affect device operation. A distance of at least six inches (approximately 15 centimeters) should be maintained between consumer electronic devices, such as mobile phones or smartwatches, and the site where the cardiac device is implanted in the chest [4].

Practical recommendations include the following:

• Mobile phones or devices containing magnets should not be carried in a shirt pocket or any pocket located directly over the site of the implanted cardiac device [4].
• Refrain from placing these devices too close to the chest area to reduce the risk of unintended activation of the magnetic safety mode [4].
• If you have a home monitoring system, it is recommended to use it regularly to check the proper functioning of your device [4].

For more advice on daily life and living with this technology, you can read our guide on Living with a Pacemaker and ICD (Arabic).

When Should You Consult a Doctor Immediately?

If you experience symptoms such as sudden dizziness, loss of consciousness, or feel unexplained shocks from your ICD, this may be an indication of a malfunction or that the device failed to perform its required function due to interference [4]. Shocks from an ICD are a therapeutic procedure, but repeated or unexplained shocks require urgent medical attention to evaluate the device and adjust its settings [3]. Please always consult your treating physician if you have any questions about the safety of any electronic device you use or if you feel any unusual symptoms.

Medical references

• Heart failure - surgeries and devices
• Pacemakers and Implantable Defibrillators
• Defibrillators What are Defibrillators?
• Magnets in Cell Phones and Smart Watches May Affect Pacemakers and Other Implanted Medical Devices | FDA