Understanding Pacemakers and Their Impact on Daily Activities

5. Airport Security

The metal in a pacemaker can set off the airport security scanners but will not affect the functionality of the devices. Hand-held scanners may pose a risk, though, if they are brought close to the pacemaker and held there for too long. People with pacemakers should alert security agents about their device before passing through security checkpoints. Full-body scanners do not seem to affect pacemakers and, so far, have presented low risk for pacemaker users. When the security guard sees a pacemaker on the full-body scanner, he or she may ask to see the individual's medical device ID card, which identifies every individual as having a pacemaker.