The pacemaker is an artificial device that is surgically placed in a patient's chest cavity to control the abnormal heartbeat. It is often inserted to treat certain heart conditions, such as arrhythmia, when the heart beats at an abnormal rhythm, too fast or too slow. The device sends an electrical impulse that regulates the heartbeat, which in turn controls blood circulation. The pacemaker can be temporary or permanent, and modern versions are capable of detecting the patient's vital signs. It is usually an electronic device, but some versions are covered in metal. If you are planning to travel, it is important to follow a certain protocol regarding invisible disabilities. Read on to find out how to travel with a pacemaker.
Steps
Step 1. Ask your doctor if the pacemaker contains metal
Some versions do not contain it, and they do not cause any problems if you decide to travel by plane and have to go through security checks at airports.
Step 2. Get an official document from your doctor stating that you have an implanted pacemaker
These statements, usually made by the doctor's office or pacemaker manufacturer, are official and can warn security officials about the metal hidden inside the body.
Step 3. Wait for the appropriate time, after surgery, before deciding to travel
Depending on the age, it may be appropriate to wait from 6 months to 1 year before leaving even for a long journey by car. Consult your doctor to find out when you can resume traveling.
Step 4. Talk to your doctor before you leave
Ask him if there are any activities you need to avoid while traveling. Also, ask for advice on what to do if you feel the device wearing out when you are away from the hospital.
Step 5. Register as disabled when you book your ticket
This is a good idea if you are traveling by plane, train or ship, because you are informing and reporting to the travel company that you have medical problems. You can also indicate if you need a wheelchair.
Step 6. Inform the airport security officers if you have a metal-sheathed pacemaker before going through security and show them your documentation
At this point, they are likely to invite you to go to another control area, where they can use an instrument to check the actual position of the metal above the heart and make sure that their device beeps only in that area.
- There have been some studies that have reported that metal detector gates can affect pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs). For this reason, a metal rod detector would be preferable. There is no evidence that the in-flight environment negatively affects pacemakers.
- If your doctor tells you that any metal detection wands or metal detector gates could have an adverse effect, you can ask the travel security staff to do a private physical check on you, after showing them the official pacemaker certification.
Step 7. Wrap a small towel around the seat belt along the chest region if you are on a long drive
Scar tissue can make the area sensitive if placed under tension for a long period of time; this remedy can relieve weight.
Step 8. Find out wherever you plan to stay if an alarm system is installed
This could interfere with the pacemaker and must be turned off before entering, if the house or hotel in which you reside has this type of system. Inform the staff, family members or friend you are staying with in advance.
Step 9. Know that the pacemaker can trigger the security alarm of retail stores or bookstores
Don't dwell too long in these doors. Step back from the store or bookstore, show the staff your pacemaker certificate, and undergo an inspection if necessary.
Don't hang around big electronic devices. It could be anything from a device in a museum to a large speaker system. These devices can interfere with the pacemaker
Step 10. Ask for a list of places where your pacemaker can be repaired while you are traveling
The manufacturer of the device, such as Medtronic, provides this information on their website with addresses of hospitals or doctors' offices almost everywhere that can help repair the pacemaker if it gets damaged.
Advice
- Many choose to invest in travel health insurance. This is a good idea, especially for those with chronic medical conditions and who travel to countries that do not have reciprocal medical agreements with their country. You may have to pay a little more for pacemaker coverage, but it ensures peace of mind while traveling.
- Some people feel uncomfortable when they are taken to a separate area for individual control. This is the general procedure for anyone with metal implants, such as hip or knee implants. While it may take longer, it doesn't mean you've done something wrong. You can ask the security officer to be discreet when carrying out the personal check with the metal detector wand.
