Is the Apple Watch safe for pacemaker portable people?

It is unlikely that your cardiologist will have enough information to give you an opinion. The onus of responsibility is with Apple to say whether they can be used by people with pacemakers. If someone with a pacemaker wears one and it causes the pacemaker to malfunction, Apple would be legally responsible for not including a warning with the watch. Can Apple please clarify this issue? Can the watch be used with a pacemaker?

To my knowhow and I'm not a doctor but I had the Apple Watch since 18 months.

I wear a PM and never had trouble with the watch nor the PM.

I'm checked twice a year at the PM clinic and so the PM and my PM is just fine, had no problem whatsoever.

When I'm checked at the PM Clinic, I wear my Apple Watch.

Recently, I changed my watch from the left to right arm just an add up precaution........ but I feel I did not have to do so but I did.

Check with Apple if you're not sure.

Apple won't answer,,,, I believe, but that's only a guess.

From the Apple Watch User Guide > Safety, Handling and Support (with my emphasis added):

"Medical device interference

Apple Watch contains components and radios that emit electromagnetic fields. Apple Watch, some of the bands, the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable, and the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Case contain magnets.

These electromagnetic fields and magnets may interfere with pacemakers, defibrillators, or other medical devices.

Maintain a safe distance of separation between your medical device and Apple Watch, its bands, the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable, and the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Case.

Consult your physician and medical device manufacturer for information specific to your medical device. Stop using Apple Watch, its bands, the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable, and the Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Case if you suspect they are interfering with your pacemaker, defibrillator, or any other medical device."

https://help.apple.com/watch/#/apdcf2ff54e9

As Frank said, you would need to wait to see the final specs from Apple, and then discuss that information with your wife's cardiologist. From what experience I have had with pacemakers, usually the magnet has to be in near direct contact with the device to affect it, but again, that is best answered by the doctor.

The onus or responsibility is on the person making the purchase to verify information. The answer that was given earlier is as much as we users here can answer. The balance would have to come from Apple. And even if Apple was to provide some information, I'm positive the cardiologist should still be consulted to verify if any of the information provided by Apple would be counterintuitive to the device. Apple could not test every pacemaker device, and information about that should come from the doctor or the device manufacturer.

http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Arrhythmia/PreventionTreatmentofArrhyth mia/Devices-that-may-Interfere-with-Pacemakers_UCM_302013_Article.jsp

Cellphones are in the "were not sure" category, bluetooth is in the "Probably not" category.

I have an AICD and am also wondering if the watch will have the same precautions as the phone or if it will be more of a Bluetooth accessory as far as that goes. It will have standalone features. I would really like it for the health features and hope those increase and those of us with medical devices can be helped not hindered.

I am concerned about the charging mechanism and it's similarity to induction cookers? Is there any chance the watch will sense the pacemaker electrical discharge and try to feed on it for electrical recharging draining battery life from the pacemaker?

Sounds crazy but no info on those aspects of the watch. It would be nice to get some information from Apple about that since it appears to be new technology that most doctors would not be familiar with without input from Apple.

I have asked Apple and they sent me a reply by email which is below. They are recommending that people with pacemakers refrain from trying the watch on. I have to say that I find the response a bit disappointing - particularly given that the watch is being advertised as a health aid. You would think that they would have tested it and have been able to provide a safety recommendation in advance as people have already started booking appointments to try the watch on. There are millions of people in the U.S. and U.K. who have pacemaker type of implants.

Dear Gary,

Thank you for your call regarding the Apple Watch yesterday.

I have investigated your query and unfortunately I cannot provide you with the specific information you require as the product has not been launched yet and so the safety specifications are not available.

As such, I would recommend that you refrain from trying the device until these details are made available.

I appreciate your patience on the matter and apologise that I cannot provide a definitve answer.

No one here can say for sure, only Apple can.

You'll have to wait until the Watch and the final specs are released.

We are just other Apple users here. However, there is nothing special about the watch. It isn't going to cause any more interference than the iPhone you carry with it.

Many thanks Keith. I guess I'll just have to wait to see whether the issue is a problem after the watch comes out. Interesting that headphones could cause interference.

My reply was not clear, Bluetooth is listed as probably not an issue with pacemakers.

Its the magnets I'm most concerned about.

I suggest that you contact Apple directly. This is a user to user support forum, and Apple does not participate here. Use the Contact Us link at the bottom of the page.