Should patients with Pace makers avoid Electronic Security systems

There is deferring opinion on whether patients with pace makers should avoid electronic tagging detectors in shops. The Harthorne review says, that till date, no deaths and only minor inconvenience have been reported during extreme exposure of patients with pacemakers when they have come directly in contact with or in close apposition to electronic security systems. But patients with any type of implanted electronic medical system should not lean, or linger" near any potential source of electromagnetic interference.

A review in the editorial “Heart” says, that Electronic surveillance systems have the potential to interact with implanted rhythm devices. But In general, electronic surveillance systems do not pose a threat to the tachycardia functions of ICDs under reasonably normal conditions. Close proximity to the transmitter can result in inappropriate shocks. According to BHF leaflet, electronic circuits in the pacemaker are well shielded by the outer metal case, and the pacemaker has special circuits to detect and remove unwanted electrical activity. However, getting too close to a strong electromagnetic field - for example in an airport screening system, can interfere temporarily with the pacemaker.