Magnetic fields from the iPhone 12 & 13 can disrupt the operation of "implanted pacemakers" and "implantable cardioverter-defibrillator ICDs";
Therefore, Apple advised its customers to maintain a safe distance between the smartphone and these implanted devices, according to a German news agency report.
This advice also applies to other devices, such as tablets, laptops, smart watches and wireless headphones.
Safety distance for new iPhones
And Apple installed a very strong magnetic ring on the back of the new iPhones, so that complementary accessories such as wireless chargers could be installed.
These magnetic rings generate fairly strong magnetic fields in the area near the smartphone.
American doctors have discovered that these ranges may, in emergency situations, disable pacemakers or defibrillators, and therefore advised the need to adhere to a safety distance of at least 15 cm, according to the recommendations of the US Food and Drug Administration.
Professor Philipp Sommer, a cardiologist in Bochum, Germany, explained that the magnetic field is very strong in a small range around the device, and added: “For imbalances to occur, the smartphone must be placed over the area where the pacemaker is implanted or defibrillator device.
This is confirmed by German cardiologists Philipp Lacour and Florian Blaschke, who - in their study published last November - tested all devices that are implanted in the heart and available on the market with magnetic fields emitted from iPhone phones constantly.
During testing, the iPhone 12 was placed in as close contact as possible with a pacemaker or defibrillator.
The test results showed effects with about half of the devices implanted in the heart, and these effects appeared only with a very small distance between the magnetic rings and the implanted device, and German doctors confirmed that there is no problem when holding the smartphone in front of the chest or making a call Telephone on the side of the implanted heart device.
What happens when the implanted device is affected by the iPhone?
In order for the patient to be in a safe position, he must check the effect of his smartphone on the implanted device with the cardiologist.
Here a question arises about what happens when the implanted device is affected by the magnetic field of the iPhone?
Doctor Philippe Lacour answered this question that there is an increase in frequency with defibrillators, but with defibrillators, there is a temporary disruption of the function required to end the arrhythmia, and when the magnetic field is removed, the device works automatically again .
Dr Florian Blaschke added, “There is a very small chance that something will happen during the short pause of the defibrillator, as the patient at this moment develops a serious heart rhythm disturbance,” but if the smartphone slips or falls, it will be restarted. Activate the defibrillation function and terminate arrhythmia.
In general, smartphones may not be placed on parts of the body under which there are implanted devices, as well as the smartphone should not be carried in a shirt pocket.
What is a pacemaker?
A pacemaker is a small device that is implanted in the chest area to help control the heartbeat.
It's used to prevent the heart from beating too slowly, and a pacemaker in the chest requires a surgical procedure, according to the Mayo Clinic.
What is a defibrillator?
An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator is a small, battery-powered device that is implanted in the chest to detect and stop an abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia). This device continuously monitors your heartbeat and, when needed, delivers electrical shocks to restore a normal heart rhythm. According to the Mayo Clinic website.