I have a few questions about a pace maker. My mother got one about 6
months ago. Is it ok for her to use a microwave? How about a cell
phone, she’s deft in her right ear, so she would have to use it on her
left side. Also, what about those flash lights that have magnets in
them instead of batteries? Are there any restrictions or has all that
changed?

Dr. Joshua’s Answer:

Yes, she can use the microwave. It’s not advisable to keep a cell phone directly over the pacemaker, like in a shirt pocket. The recommendation with older pacemaker models is to keep the phone >6 inches from the pacemaker. The latest models are quite resistant to any cell phone interference. Any strong magnets close to the pacemaker could conceivably cause interference so try to avoid those.

Modern pacemakers are quite resistant to electromagnetic interference, but some precautions need to be taken. Find out the make and model of the pacemaker, and contact the manufacturer of the pacemaker for more information.

For quick reference, see the following helpful review by Medtronic:

Medtronic Pacemaker Safety Quick Reference Table

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