Don’t keep these Apple products too close to your pacemaker

Apple has shared a list of products that should be kept a safe distance from medical devices due to possible magnetic interference. Think of implanted pacemakers and defibrillators.

keep this one apple-products not too close to your pacemaker

Apple products may interfere with medical devices. This puts people with pacemakers at risk of suffering. To avoid this, it is important to keep some Apple products a safe distance from pacemakers.

So what exactly does ‘a safe distance’ mean? Apple indicates that 15 centimeters is generally enough. When products are charged wirelessly, however, a safe distance of 30 centimeters applies. This can differ per device. It is therefore always wise to consult a doctor for specific guidelines.

Certain Apple products contain magnets that are unlikely to interfere with medical devices, Apple said. These products are therefore not on the list. The products that are on the list are:

AirPods and charging cases
• AirPods and charging case
• AirPods and wireless charging case
• AirPods Pro and wireless charging case
• AirPods Max and Smart Case

Apple Watch and accessories
• Apple Watch
• Apple Watch bands with magnets
• Magnetic Charging Accessories for Apple Watch

HomePod
• HomePod
• HomePod mini

iPad and accessories
• iPad
• iPad mini
• iPad Air
• iPad Pro
• iPad Smart Covers and Smart Folios
• iPad Smart Keyboard and Smart Keyboard Folio
• Magic Keyboard for iPad

iPhone and MagSafe Accessories
• iPhone 12 Series
• MagSafe Accessories

Mac and accessories
• Mac mini
• Mac Pro
• MacBook Air
• MacBook Pro
• iMac
• Apple Pro Display XDR

beats
• Beats Flex
• Beats X
• PowerBeats Pro
• UrBeats3

iPhone 12 already a point of discussion among doctors

Earlier this month, the American Heart Association published a small study examining the iPhone 12’s effect on various types of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter-defibrillators. This found that 11 out of 14 heart devices experienced interference when an iPhone 12 Pro Max was held close to the heart device.

In January 2021, an article in Heart Rhythm Magazine found that magnetic interference from iPhone 12 models could potentially inhibit life-saving therapy in a patient. Three doctors in Michigan tested this interaction by holding an iPhone 12 near the implantable cardioverter-defibrillator. The defibrillator immediately stopped working properly.

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