Pacemakers In The Parks ...

[Michael9374]

Who has experience with a pacemaker in the Disney Parks ? I will be going in June 2017 and I have gotten a pacemaker since my last visit in 2010. I am 42 years old, very active. My doctor told me NO THRILL rides, ONLY slow moving rides like It's a Small World etc. Who has a pacemaker and what was your experience like in the park from arriving to leaving ?

Did you ride the monorail ? Have any issues ?
What rides did you ride ? Have any issues ?
Any issues with your magic bands ?

I have a single lead pacer implanted and just wanted feedback from guest with similar issues/concerns.

Thanks
Michael

 

[thomas998]

Who has experience with a pacemaker in the Disney Parks ? I will be going in June 2017 and I have gotten a pacemaker since my last visit in 2010. I am 42 years old, very active. My doctor told me NO THRILL rides, ONLY slow moving rides like It's a Small World etc. Who has a pacemaker and what was your experience like in the park from arriving to leaving ?

Did you ride the monorail ? Have any issues ?
What rides did you ride ? Have any issues ?
Any issues with your magic bands ?

I have a single lead pacer implanted and just wanted feedback from guest with similar issues/concerns.

Thanks
Michael

Well there are different reasons that people need a pacemaker, so honestly your doctor is the best person to provide you guidance on what you should and shouldn't do. Without knowing your medical history any suggestions from people on this forum would be mere speculation. I've known a few people with pacemakers and the level of activity that they were able to enjoy varied widely because the underlying reason for the pacemaker was different for each. It may also be a matter of how long you've had the pacemaker and your doctor wanting to very slowly add back activities to your lifestyle. But for the sake of your family, don't shop for opinions on a forum, listen to your doctor as your life may very well depend on it.

 

[Michael9374]

Well there are different reasons that people need a pacemaker, so honestly your doctor is the best person to provide you guidance on what you should and shouldn't do. Without knowing your medical history any suggestions from people on this forum would be mere speculation. I've known a few people with pacemakers and the level of activity that they were able to enjoy varied widely because the underlying reason for the pacemaker was different for each. It may also be a matter of how long you've had the pacemaker and your doctor wanting to very slowly add back activities to your lifestyle. But for the sake of your family, don't shop for opinions on a forum, listen to your doctor as your life may very well depend on it.

I am very active. Refereeing basketball 6-12 games a week, umpiring baseball 6-12 games a week. My doctor told me no fast rides, only slow. I guess to re-question my question is for anyone with a pacer that rode slow or fast rides did you feel any different being around any magnets from the rides ? Did you ride the monorail over ok ? .... I am not a thrill rider anyway and I am cool with the slow rides. I have had my pacer 5 years now. Got it due to a slow heart rate. It keeps my beating steady and at a good pace now. Walking/running haven't bothered me. More related to I guess of "Did you feel anything" while riding the rides cause I am sure some use magnets.

Thanks
Michael

 

[thomas998]

I am very active. Refereeing basketball 6-12 games a week, umpiring baseball 6-12 games a week. My doctor told me no fast rides, only slow. I guess to re-question my question is for anyone with a pacer that rode slow or fast rides did you feel any different being around any magnets from the rides ? Did you ride the monorail over ok ? .... I am not a thrill rider anyway and I am cool with the slow rides. I have had my pacer 5 years now. Got it due to a slow heart rate. It keeps my beating steady and at a good pace now. Walking/running haven't bothered me. More related to I guess of "Did you feel anything" while riding the rides cause I am sure some use magnets.

Thanks
Michael

Well if your worried about a magnets impact on the pacemaker you need to first find out which pacemaker you have and whether the magnet response mode was left activated or not because if the magnet response mode was left on (which is doubtful) different manufacturers have different default states for their pacemakers that are activated by magnets.

Though I don't think you are going to be near any rides with a strong enough magnetic field to cause any pacemaker to switch modes. If you are concerned with the monorail, don't be it isn't a mag-lev train if that is what you were thinking, if you've been able to ride a subway then your good to go on the monorail because the electromagnetic field of the monorail is going to be comparable to that of a subway train.

 

[Michael9374]

Well if your worried about a magnets impact on the pacemaker you need to first find out which pacemaker you have and whether the magnet response mode was left activated or not because if the magnet response mode was left on (which is doubtful) different manufacturers have different default states for their pacemakers that are activated by magnets.

Though I don't think you are going to be near any rides with a strong enough magnetic field to cause any pacemaker to switch modes. If you are concerned with the monorail, don't be it isn't a mag-lev train if that is what you were thinking, if you've been able to ride a subway then your good to go on the monorail because the electromagnetic field of the monorail is going to be comparable to that of a subway train.

I have emailed the maker (Medtronic) just to see what they say. I have never ridden in the subway lol ... Yea I am pretty sure most rides are safe it's just precaution the doctor puts on us for safety. If each ride had that powerful a magnet it would not function and everyone's teeth feelings would come out

 

[thomas998]

I have emailed the maker (Medtronic) just to see what they say. I have never ridden in the subway lol ... Yea I am pretty sure most rides are safe it's just precaution the doctor puts on us for safety. If each ride had that powerful a magnet it would not function and everyone's teeth feelings would come out

I seriously doubt you'll find any ride in the park that would impact a pacemaker because you know with millions of people passing through the gates each day there are going to be hundreds of people each year with pacemakers walking all through the park... If there was any rides or areas that were a danger to people with a pacemaker you would probably see spots marked with shrines to the dearly departed that were zapped to their doom by electro-magnetic interference near the spot and would have certainly made the news by now. Your biggest danger will be from the metal detectors and anti-theft devices you will encounter on your trip. In that respect you should never lean against any of those anti-theft columns you see at the entry and exit of stores, and if they ever need to wand you down with a metal detector make them aware that you have a pacemaker and that they shouldn't keep the wand close to your chest any longer than is absolutely necessary (which honestly should never happen if they have a decent walk through metal detector because it will show on the side the guards are looking at the area of your body that set off the alarm.

But don't worry too much less than 50 people in the past 10 years have had any type of situation from a metal detector or anti-theft device... so the odds are exceedingly low that it would happen to you.

 

[Michael9374]

I seriously doubt you'll find any ride in the park that would impact a pacemaker because you know with millions of people passing through the gates each day there are going to be hundreds of people each year with pacemakers walking all through the park... If there was any rides or areas that were a danger to people with a pacemaker you would probably see spots marked with shrines to the dearly departed that were zapped to their doom by electro-magnetic interference near the spot and would have certainly made the news by now. Your biggest danger will be from the metal detectors and anti-theft devices you will encounter on your trip. In that respect you should never lean against any of those anti-theft columns you see at the entry and exit of stores, and if they ever need to wand you down with a metal detector make them aware that you have a pacemaker and that they shouldn't keep the wand close to your chest any longer than is absolutely necessary (which honestly should never happen if they have a decent walk through metal detector because it will show on the side the guards are looking at the area of your body that set off the alarm.

But don't worry too much less than 50 people in the past 10 years have had any type of situation from a metal detector or anti-theft device... so the odds are exceedingly low that it would happen to you.

We went on a cruise and I was patted down at customs ... No metal detectors or wanding. I have my card with me 24/7. I always jump through the little security things at Wal Mart going in and out LOL ...

 

[Goofyernmost]

Wouldn't the bulk of the concern be in heart rate. Anything that causes the adrenaline to increase will also call for a natural increase in your heart rate. He might be concerned that you increased demand for the heart to beat faster may throw off the timing of the pacemaker. This is strictly speculation. I don't have one and was only aware of any problem if it was near a microwave or some other thing that might affect the program of the pacemaker. I agree get some specific explanations about slow vs. fast rides and a clear cut idea from your Doctor as to what he/she is attempting to protect you from.

 

[Michael9374]

Wouldn't the bulk of the concern be in heart rate. Anything that causes the adrenaline to increase will also call for a natural increase in your heart rate. He might be concerned that you increased demand for the heart to beat faster may throw off the timing of the pacemaker. This is strictly speculation. I don't have one and was only aware of any problem if it was near a microwave or some other thing that might affect the program of the pacemaker. I agree get some specific explanations about slow vs. fast rides and a clear cut idea from your Doctor as to what he/she is attempting to protect you from.

I referee ball all year long. Baseball, Soccer, Basketball. I stay active. I refereed 7 games this past Saturday ... I have ridden all the thrill rides 5 years ago BEFORE the pacer and was fine. Guess the doc just doesn't want to risk anything now with a pacer.

 

[Goofyernmost]

I referee ball all year long. Baseball, Soccer, Basketball. I stay active. I refereed 7 games this past Saturday ... I have ridden all the thrill rides 5 years ago BEFORE the pacer and was fine. Guess the doc just doesn't want to risk anything now with a pacer.

Well, that is easy to say if it isn't you that is being risked. It isn't like I will try that and if it isn't fun I won't do it again. It is more if I do that I might die and will never do it again or anything else, for that matter. As someone said, there may be a different story for everyone and the only one that can answer that question is the one that made the statement. The Doctor. I know that even if I had one I surely wouldn't recommend that someone else take the same chances that I might take. The risk is high and it is permanent. I had HBP and about 5 million signs on Mission: Space told me not to ride it. I did anyway and lived, but, I for sure would not advise anyone else to take that chance based on my experience.

I have to ask though, is with all that information from you own personal experience why would you even ask that question. By now you should know your own limitations unless something has changed since the last time you went. Ask the Doctor exactly what his/her concerns are.

 

[Michael9374]

Well, that is easy to say if it isn't you that is being risked. It isn't like I will try that and if it isn't fun I won't do it again. It is more if I do that I might die and will never do it again or anything else, for that matter. As someone said, there may be a different story for everyone and the only one that can answer that question is the one that made the statement. The Doctor. I know that even if I had one I surely wouldn't recommend that someone else take the same chances that I might take. The risk is high and it is permanent. I had HBP and about 5 million signs on Mission: Space told me not to ride it. I did anyway and lived, but, I for sure would not advise anyone else to take that chance based on my experience.

I have to ask though, is with all that information from you own personal experience why would you even ask that question. By now you should know your own limitations unless something has changed since the last time you went. Ask the Doctor exactly what his/her concerns are.

Just to get feedback from other people who have a pacer and what there expierence was like riding rides at Disney. I am not going to jepordize anything riding anything I know I shouldn't ... I am looking forward to a fun relaxing vacation ...