Lift chair safe with new pacemaker?

@babbsjoy
May I suggest you contact Medtronic and asked that question.

I am not sure if Medtronic is like Boston Sceintific and have a patient friendly information. I have been able to asked Boston Scientific specific answer to things like this that answer directly to ICD/Pacemaker model. It is important your information answers or reseach you do on line directly uses your model you had implanted.

I have used Boston Scientific for direct answers many times. I once put my smart key right above my device and got a pacing. Boston Scientific said could happen. My pace clinic said did not think so. Recently my pace clinic warned me about getting to close to underwater lights in our fitness pool as could be picking up electrical if light not properly grounded. This was due to me reporting device pacing me.

If your father just had it implanted it probably is a newer version and protected from many of the things that would affect older devices. But you are in a chair with electrical current all around it. I would asked Metronic directly as well as your cardilogist. Just remember your device manufacturer will have tons on informatino on their research and complaints.

I hope this helped and you find Medtronic patient web site as helpful as I found Boston Scientific.

You're definitely doing the right thing by planning to ask his cardiologist. With something as important as a new pacemaker, it's always better to get advice that's specific to his situation rather than relying on mixed information online.

From a practical standpoint, if he does end up using a lift chair or any other mobility aid, it can really help to ask about day-to-day use, positioning, and any precautions that the manufacturer or healthcare team recommends. That way, everyone feels more confident and comfortable using it.

Hopefully, you'll get some reassurance from his medical team soon. Wishing your father a smooth recovery and continued improvement.

@stanleyhudson Your discussion post is an absolutely correct suggestion, thank you! Note, though, that the discussion is over a year old; I do hope @babbsjoy has resolved all of his/her dad's lift chair issues - a follow-up post would be helpful by sharing what was learned through this adjustment time.

@walkinggirl @stanleyhudson

Thank you for your comments. Dad has done well with his pacemaker! The lift chair became a moot point, as his easy chair holds a lot of sentimental value to him (it was my moms), plus he wanted to continue to exercise those muscles required to stand on his own—fearing further atrophy. That has worked fine until the past few days and now we may have to rethink the lift chair.

His cardiologist said a lift chair would not be a problem, so long as we did not get one that offers massage. He felt that that could hold potential problems.

We have learned a little something that most people probably already know, but that was a learning curve for us: Even though dads pacemaker is MRI compatible, only specialized MRI machines can do the imaging and the techs need to communicate with the pacemaker company and his cardiologist before hand. Where we live the hospital group where dad used to get MRIs every three months (thankfully no longer necessary), not all locations have the specialized machine and the ones that do book up much further in advance as compared to the regular imaging. So plan very far ahead just in case this is a thing for you too!

Take care and stay well!

@babbsjoy
You are correct. I have a ICD/Pacemaker and they used a special MRI machine on me. The ICD/Pace clinic was on site, made some adjustments prior to and when I came out, and were there for entire procedure.

My device was listed as MRI compatible but wires were not and there was a lot of concern with them.

@walkinggirl @stanleyhudson

Thank you for your comments. Dad has done well with his pacemaker! The lift chair became a moot point, as his easy chair holds a lot of sentimental value to him (it was my moms), plus he wanted to continue to exercise those muscles required to stand on his own—fearing further atrophy. That has worked fine until the past few days and now we may have to rethink the lift chair.

His cardiologist said a lift chair would not be a problem, so long as we did not get one that offers massage. He felt that that could hold potential problems.

We have learned a little something that most people probably already know, but that was a learning curve for us: Even though dads pacemaker is MRI compatible, only specialized MRI machines can do the imaging and the techs need to communicate with the pacemaker company and his cardiologist before hand. Where we live the hospital group where dad used to get MRIs every three months (thankfully no longer necessary), not all locations have the specialized machine and the ones that do book up much further in advance as compared to the regular imaging. So plan very far ahead just in case this is a thing for you too!

Take care and stay well!

@babbsjoy Thank you so much for the update! I am glad he adjusted to the pacemaker well. I've had 2 MRIs since getting my ICD, one of the MRI "bosses" at our local hospital knows how to turn my Medtronic ICD on and off for the MRI. The last time was a year ago, I had Lyme Disease and developed Bell's Palsy. Had the MRI to rule out a stroke that everyone was quite sure I was not having after the initial evaluation. I did not know that there are MRI machines pacemaker compatible! I did not know that there were lift chairs that offered massages! Anytime I go through a security screening, I always make it known that I have an ICD. Would your dad benefit from PT or cardio rehab? His cardiologist would know.