FDA says iPhone 12 MagSafe risk to pacemakers is low
An investigation by the US Food and Drug Administration into devices such as MagSafe and the iPhone 12, has concluded that the risk to patients with pacemakers is low, but advises caution.
Magnets are increasingly being used in both devices and accessories
Following Apple's rewording of its iPhone 12 and MagSafe support documents to recommend careful use of the devices near pacemakers, the FDA has issued its own guidance. The FDA has conducted its own testing and says that although care is needed, the risk of problems is slight.
"We believe the risk to patients is low and the agency is not aware of any adverse events associated with this issue at this time," says Jeff Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, in a statement.
"However, the number of consumer electronics with strong magnets is expected to increase over time," he continued. "Therefore, we recommend people with implanted medical devices talk with their health care provider to ensure they understand this potential risk and the proper techniques for safe use."
Potential issues with magnets in devices such as Apple's, were first raised in the Heart Rhythm Society's journal in January 2021. Apple had advised users to consult medical practitioners if they were unsure about the magnets interfering, but it then updated that to give more detailed guidance.
Specifically, it advises iPhone 12 users who have pacemakers, or use similar medical equipment, to keep the phone between 6 and 12 inches away from such devices. The FDA's separate testing has resulted in similar advice.
"It is important to emphasize the following: to avoid interference between cell phones and smart watches and your heart device, keep them at least six inches (15 centimeters) away from implanted medical devices," says the FDA in an accompanying advisory. "Also, do not place cell phones, smart watches, and other consumer electronics close to your implanted medical device."
Although the FDA concentrated on cell phones and smart watches, its point about increasing use of magnets is not confined to that category of products. Besides magnets in assorted models of iPad, Apple has separately been researching an expanded use of magnets in case covers, and wearable Apple Watch bands.
Stay on top of all Apple news right from your HomePod. Say, "Hey, Siri, play AppleInsider," and you'll get latest AppleInsider Podcast. Or ask your HomePod mini for "AppleInsider Daily" instead and you'll hear a fast update direct from our news team. And, if you're interested in Apple-centric home automation, say "Hey, Siri, play HomeKit Insider," and you'll be listening to our newest specialized podcast in moments.
Magnets are increasingly being used in both devices and accessories
Following Apple's rewording of its iPhone 12 and MagSafe support documents to recommend careful use of the devices near pacemakers, the FDA has issued its own guidance. The FDA has conducted its own testing and says that although care is needed, the risk of problems is slight.
"We believe the risk to patients is low and the agency is not aware of any adverse events associated with this issue at this time," says Jeff Shuren, M.D., J.D., director of the FDA's Center for Devices and Radiological Health, in a statement.
"However, the number of consumer electronics with strong magnets is expected to increase over time," he continued. "Therefore, we recommend people with implanted medical devices talk with their health care provider to ensure they understand this potential risk and the proper techniques for safe use."
Potential issues with magnets in devices such as Apple's, were first raised in the Heart Rhythm Society's journal in January 2021. Apple had advised users to consult medical practitioners if they were unsure about the magnets interfering, but it then updated that to give more detailed guidance.
Specifically, it advises iPhone 12 users who have pacemakers, or use similar medical equipment, to keep the phone between 6 and 12 inches away from such devices. The FDA's separate testing has resulted in similar advice.
"It is important to emphasize the following: to avoid interference between cell phones and smart watches and your heart device, keep them at least six inches (15 centimeters) away from implanted medical devices," says the FDA in an accompanying advisory. "Also, do not place cell phones, smart watches, and other consumer electronics close to your implanted medical device."
Although the FDA concentrated on cell phones and smart watches, its point about increasing use of magnets is not confined to that category of products. Besides magnets in assorted models of iPad, Apple has separately been researching an expanded use of magnets in case covers, and wearable Apple Watch bands.
Stay on top of all Apple news right from your HomePod. Say, "Hey, Siri, play AppleInsider," and you'll get latest AppleInsider Podcast. Or ask your HomePod mini for "AppleInsider Daily" instead and you'll hear a fast update direct from our news team. And, if you're interested in Apple-centric home automation, say "Hey, Siri, play HomeKit Insider," and you'll be listening to our newest specialized podcast in moments.
Comments
i feel this story just gave these lowlifes an idea.
Iron in hemoglobin is only weakly magnetic - there also isn't much of it! The properties also vary by oxygenation. https://www.sciencelearn.org.nz/resources/1010-does-blood-have-magnetic-properties
https://www.thoughtco.com/not-all-iron-is-magnetic-3976017
Here’s the thing - pacemakers are generally implanted right below the clavicle. To affect a pacemaker at all, you have to either have an incredibly strong magnet or be immediately above it. Earbud headphone magnets aren’t strong enough to do anything and even the headphones with larger magnets (think AirPod Maxes) will not be close enough.
Ironically, pacemakers and AICDs emit a tone when they sense a magnet.
The thing is, with rare exceptions, all modern pacemakers revert to a fixed rate (usually 80 beats per minute.) That means putting a magnet on won’t suddenly keep the device from pacing and leave the person without a pulse.
ICDs are a bit different - most of these will disable the antiarrhythmic (defibrillator) function and leave any pacing unaffected. This is potentially more serious, but in reality not much since the antiarrhythmic function only comes in to play if a patient has a shockable arrhythmia (like v-tach) and these occur exceptionally rarely. The entire point of therapy is to prevent these arrhythmias from happening in the first place; the ICD is only an emergency backup.