Is it true that the iPhone 12 can influence pacemakers and other devices that regulate the heartbeat?

In early January 2021, a study appeared that states that the new iPhone 12 can influence pacemakers. We checked whether this is really so.

“Researchers found that the iPhone 12 can deactivate a pacemaker,” the headlines of some English -speaking publications in January said. Later headlines were adjusted, now we are not talking about pacemakers, but about implanted cardiverters-defibrillers (ICD).

The authors refer to a study published in early January in the journal Heart Rhythm. According to articles, if the smartphone is located close to the user's heart, which has an ICD installed, the magnetic effect can affect the installed device and cause violations in its work.

Although the pacemakers were originally mentioned in the published materials, the researchers wanted to know whether the iPhone 12 magnetic field can influence the ICD. 

ICD is device like a pacemaker. ICD is needed to observe the rhythm of heart contractions, it is usually used to treat patients with a high risk of serious heart rhythm disturbances (for example, ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia) to prevent a sudden cardiac arrest. Moreover, all modern ICDs Included The function of pacemakers. Depending on the seriousness of the rhythm violation, the device can generate either a series of electrical pulses for rhythm correction, or small (cardioversii) or strong (defibrillation) electric blow.

In the journal Heart Rhythm in early January really was An article has been published in which it is said that smartphones with magnets inside can affect the ICD: "When the iPhone [12] approaches the ICD in the area of ​​the left side of the chest, an immediate ICD reaction was observed, it remained throughout the test." The authors of the article warned that the new generation of iPhone could potentially inhibit such devices or violate their work, especially if they are worn in the upper pockets at chest level.

At the same time, it is likely that it is not worth allocating the iPhone 12 separately. Apple in general recognizesthat the iPhone can influence such medical devices as pacemakers and defibrilleters, but claims that the iPhone 12 is not a unique case. Creators declare: Although the iPhone 12 contains more magnets than in previous models, this does not mean that they create a greater effect on medical devices.

In addition, researchers Markthat other gadgets that contain magnets can potentially affect pacemakers and ICDs in the same way. If the device has the so -called Hoering The switch is an electromechanical device that change the condition of the connected circuit under the influence of a magnetic field - there is also the possibility of exposure, the authors of the study believe. Including the switch can “get stuck” in one position: turned on or off.

In both devices - ICD and pacemakers - this type of switch is present. Therefore, the magnetic effect of the iPhone 12 is possible both on the ICD and the pacemakers, despite the fact that the study itself has focused on the first.

Although the scale of scientific work is small and the results of only one experiment are presented in it, publication proves the possibility of the influence of the iPhone 12 on such medical devices as ICD and pacemakers. But you should not panic, it is easy to avoid such an influence. It is enough not to bring smartphones too close to the chest.

Is it true

What do our verdicts mean?

Read on the topic:

1. Can an iPhone 12 Disable Pacemakers or Other Cardiac Devices?
2. Life Saving Therapy Inhibition by Phones Containing Magnets