Important Information Regarding Rare-Earth Magnets

Pacemaker and implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) users:
Remove collar-open magnets before wearing garment

There are four rare earth magnets to remove: one (about the size of a quarter), inside the jacket on each side of the upper chest/collar, and one (about the size of a dime) at each end of the collar - removable from a small pocket with a hook and loop closure.

Please call us at 800.222.1994 or 218.722.1927 if you have questions.

Health Effects
Individuals with pacemakers or internal medical devices should use caution when handling strong magnets. Magnetic fields may affect the operation of these devices. Consult your physician and the manufacturer of your medical device to determine its susceptibility to static magnetic fields prior to handling magnets.

Handling
Children should not be allowed to play with magnets. Do not ingest magnets or place in any body orifice such the ear, nose or mouth. If magnets are ingested seek immediate medical attention.

Washing
Magnets must be removed before washing. If left in place the magnets to adhere to the inside of the washing machine and cause damage to the suit.

Rare-Earth magnets will become demagnetized when exposed to high heat. These magnets are powerful and can accelerate at high speeds toward each other and toward ferrous material. When these magnets come together quickly, they can shatter and break sending particles at speed. These magnets can also pinch strongly if allowed to come together against the skin. You should always wear gloves and eye protection when handling.

Rare-earth magnets have strong magnetic fields that can damage electronic equipment and magnetic data storage media. You should keep these magnets away from electronic equipment, computer discs, credit cards, video tapes, and other magnetic media.

QUESTIONS? PLEASE CALL US AT 800 222 1994 OR EMAIL .

ScienceDaily (Nov. 30, 2006) — Magnets may interfere with the operation of pacemakers and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), according to a study published in the December 2006 edition of Heart Rhythm.

Researchers found that while common magnets for home and office use with low magnetic strength posed little risk, stronger magnets made from neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) may cause interference with cardiac devices and pose potential hazards to patients. NdFeB magnets are increasingly being used in homes and office products, toys, jewelry and even clothing.

“Physicians should caution patients about the risks associated with these magnets,” says Thomas Wolber, a cardiologist at the University Hospital of Zurich in Switzerland and lead author of the study. “We also recommend that the packaging include information on the potential risks that may be associated with these types of magnets.”

Two spherical magnets of eight and 10 millimeters in diameter and one necklace made of 45 spherical magnets were tested on 70 patients, 41 with pacemakers and 29 with ICDs. Magnetic interference was observed in all patients. The cardiac devices resumed normal function after the magnets were removed.

In an accompanying editorial, Huagui Li, M.D., a cardiologist at the Minnesota Heart Clinic in Edina, MN., writes, “This study is timely and important to attract the attention of both the public and the medical profession about the potentially serious health consequences of magnets used in decoration products... for an ICD patient, the magnet interference can be fatal.”

Dr. Li concludes that manufacturers who use magnets should be required to put warning labels on their products for optimal patient safety.

About the Heart Rhythm Society

The Heart Rhythm Society is the international leader in science, education and advocacy for cardiac arrhythmia professionals and patients, and the primary information resource on heart rhythm disorders. Its mission is to improve the care of patients by promoting research, education and optimal health care policies and standards. Incorporated in 1979 and based in Washington, DC, it has a membership of over 4,000 heart rhythm professionals in more than 60 countries around the world.

About Heart Rhythm

Heart Rhythm provides rapid publication of the most important science developments in the field of arrhythmias and cardiovascular electrophysiology. As the Official Journal of the Heart Rhythm Society, Heart Rhythm publishes both basic and clinical subject matter of scientific excellence devoted to the electrophysiology (EP) of the heart and blood vessels, as well as therapy. The journal is the only EP publication serving the entire electrophysiology community from basic to clinical academic researchers, private practitioners, technicians, industry and trainees. Heart Rhythm received a debut Impact Factor of 2.6 and was ranked 21st out of 72 cardiovascular medicine journals by the Institute for Scientific Information. Additionally, the journal ranks fifth in the Immediacy Index among cardiology publications. It is also the official publication of the Cardiac Electrophysiology Society.

Story Source

The above story is reprinted (with editorial adaptations by ScienceDaily staff) from materials provided by Heart Rhythm Society, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.