What precautions should I take with my pacemaker?

The following precautions should always be considered. Discuss the following in detail with your physician:

• Use caution when going through airport security detectors. Check with your physician about the safety of going through such detectors with your particular device.

• Avoid magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines or other large magnetic fields.

• Abstain from diathermy (the use of heat in physical therapy to treat muscles).

• Turn off large motors, such as cars or boats, when working on them (they may temporarily "confuse" your device).

• Avoid certain high-voltage or radar machinery, such as radio or television transmitters, electric arc welders, high-tension wires, radar installations, or smelting furnaces.