Magnets in Cell Phones and Smart Watches May AffectPacemakers and Other Implanted Medical Devices
Some consumer electronic devices, such as certain cell phones and smart watches, include highfield strength magnets. Recent studies have shown that consumer electronic devices with highfield strength magnets may cause certain implanted medical devices to switch to “magnet mode”and suspend normal operations until the magnet is moved away from the medical device.
Many implanted medical devices are designed with a “magnet mode” to allow for safe operationduring certain medical procedures such as undergoing an MRI scan. These safety features aretypically engaged by physicians with the use of a high field strength magnet that is placed nearthe implanted device placing it into a “magnet mode.” Removal of the magnetic field causes thedevice to return to normal operation.
Precautions for Patients with Pacemakers and OtherImplanted Medical Devices
The FDA recommends patients keep any consumer electronic devices that may create magneticinterference, including cell phones and smart watches, at least six inches away from implantedmedical devices, in particular cardiac defibrillators. Many implanted medical devices have FDA-approved information written for patients (patient labeling), which cautions patients to keep allcell phones and smart watches at least six inches from the implanted medical device.
People with implanted medical devices may want to take some simple precautions, including:
Keep the consumer electronics, such as certain cell phones and smart watches, six inchesaway from implanted medical devices.
Do not carry consumer electronics in a pocket over the medical device.
Check your device using your home monitoring system, if you have one.
Talk to your health care provider if you are experiencing any symptoms or have questionsregarding magnets in consumer electronics and implanted medical devices.
When near high strength magnets, devices with a magnetic safe mode could stop working orchange how the device works. For example, a cardiac defibrillator may be unable to detecttachycardia events. Or it may change the operational mode of the devices such as turning onasynchronous (i.e., two or more events not happening at the same time) mode in a pacemaker.
Cardiac implanted electronic devices are intended to support heart rhythm disorders, such asslow or fast heart rates. When the device stops working, a patient may experience dizziness, lossof consciousness or even death if therapy is not delivered when lifesaving shocks are required.
It is important to emphasize the following: to avoid interference between cell phones and smartwatches and your heart device, keep them at least six inches (15 centimeters) away fromimplanted medical devices. Also, do not place cell phones, smart watches, and other consumerelectronics close to your implanted medical device.
The FDA is aware of published articles which describe the effect that sufficiently strongmagnetic fields can turn on the magnetic safe mode when in close contact. The FDA alsoconducted its own testing on some products that use the high field strength magnet feature andhave confirmed the magnetic field is both consistent with the publications and strong enough toturn on the magnetic safety mode of the medical devices in question. The FDA believes the riskto patients is low, and the agency is not aware of any adverse events associated with this issue atthis time.
The FDA continues to monitor all relevant scientific information about thisongoing issue and will continue to take appropriate action, including informingthe public and providing additional information, if the need arises based on itsrisk analysis.
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(https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33418126/) (https://www.heartrhythmjournal.com/article/S1547-5271(21)00134-X/fulltext) (http://www.fda.gov/about-fda/website-policies/website-disclaimer) (https://www.heartrhythmjournal.com/article/S1547-5271(21)00105-3/fulltext) (http://www.fda.gov/about-fda/website-policies/website-disclaimer) (https://www.healthcareinfosecurity.com/study-iphone-12-magnets-deactivate-cardiac-devices-a-15938) (http://www.fda.gov/about-fda/website-policies/website-disclaimer)
(https://www.henryford.com/news/2021/02/iphone-12-deactivates-defibrillator) (http://www.fda.gov/about-fda/website-policies/website-disclaimer)
About the magnets inside iPhone 12, iPhone 12 mini, iPhone 12 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro Max,and MagSafe accessories – Apple Support
(https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT211900) (http://www.fda.gov/about-fda/website-policies/website-disclaimer)