Trick-Or-Treating With A Pacemaker: Unexpected Dangers
The spooky season is upon us, and there are always traditions to enjoy with this time of year. Trick-or-treating is one of them. While children generally do the trick-or-treating, other family members, including parents, grandparents, and neighbors, also participate. Considering that pacemakers are found in people of all ages because CVD can develop at any age, even congenitally, therefore, it is important to accommodate everyone and make everyone aware of a few concerns so that these potential issues can be avoided.
If someone has a pacemaker, is there anything they should consider before participating in trick-or-treating? Yes, but it’s complicated.
However, as we have discussed in earlier articles, having a pacemaker and doing the activities we love can be tricky sometimes, and it is best to be aware of any potential dangers before we take part. Same with cycling, swimming, and horseback riding… etc. In the same vein, Halloween presents a few potential pacemaker concerns that one should be aware of before slipping on vampire fangs, donning a feathered pirate cap, or putting on a gothic Wednesday wig and dress. On the night of costumes, candy, and fun, there are a few things one must remember to prevent any potential disasters.
So, grab a bowl of candy corn and let’s dive into this issue.
Halloween comes with an undertone of fear or enjoying the thrill of the fright. The sole role of a pacemaker is to maintain one’s heart rate, but it does not fix an issue with blood flow, nor does it prevent heart attacks due to a sudden scare. The article Sudden Cardiac Arrest - Symptoms and Causes by Mayo Clinic describes how sudden cardiac arrest occurs. “A change in the heart's electrical activity causes sudden cardiac arrest. The change makes the heart stop pumping blood. No blood flow goes to the body” (Mayo Clinic, 2023). A pacemaker is meant to maintain the heart rate, but cannot regulate other factors related to the organ’s physical health. Therefore, having a pacemaker does help manage the heart, but it does not prevent someone from having a sudden stress-induced heart attack. Therefore, if you have a heart condition, it is best to consult with your doctor before participating in some of the more stressful, frightening, and spooky aspects of this holiday.
One of the easier and most enjoyable parts of Halloween, for children and their families, is Trick-or-Treating. It is a common tradition for whole families to enjoy, as kids dress up in their costumes and go from house to house shouting, “Trick or Treat!” before receiving candy as a reward. The candy is collected, and the children move on. The cycle then continues to the next house and the one after that. However, since congenital heart disease (CHD) is a common illness and many of these children who have the critical version, like I did, have pacemakers, it is best to be aware of a few potential factors pacemakers may pose to anyone out enjoying this activity, be they younger or older.
However, this activity is usually done at night, and therefore, there are a few things to consider when participating, whether you are a Trick-Or-Treater, a guardian, or just wandering around with a group of friends on All Hallows Eve.
I have three suggestions that one should consider before trick-or-treating.
The first is the potential for a fall Given that the tradition usually takes place at night, it can be easy to lose one’s balance in a darkened neighborhood, and, consequently, trip, and/or inadvertently cause impact to the pacemaker site. The article, Blunt Trauma-Induced Pacemaker Failure by Brown, Carter, and Lambardi states that “trauma-induced lead fracture and pacemaker failure are rare events and have been reported with blunt trauma to the chest, weightlifting, hyperextension injuries to the lead-bearing upper extremity, clavicular crush, clavicular fractures, and sudden deceleration, suggesting that similar sports-related injuries may result in lead and pacemaker malfunction.” While this is a somewhat extreme example as tripping often does not necessarily lead to fractures or bone injuries, the lead of a pacemaker can still be impacted if it is hit hard enough. That is why, even with modern leads and attachments, unexpected dislodgement of a pacemaker lead does happen. I experienced this once before and urge people not to take unnecessary risks.
This is why I recommend that when you go trick-or-treating, you always carry a flashlight and always walk in a group. This limits the likelihood of this dangerous eventuality. If you are particularly unsteady on your feet, you might want to consider wearing a padded vest to ensure optimal protection of the area while out at night.
The second is that the cold may be a factor to consider. If shivering harms the area around your pacemaker, be sure to wear a warm coat. I say this because, in my experience, shivering or any consistent harsh musculature movement of my torso tends to make my chest sore for days. Be it from shivering and/or being jostled around by jeep driving or biking, it causes pain. This is due to the wires and scar tissue running just beneath the surface. Sometimes, this causes shooting pain throughout the muscles or leaves a dull, blunt ache. It is for this reason that I always bundle up.
If you live in a cold climate where winters can be harsh, dark, and very cold, it is especially necessary to wear a warmer costume. I have seen Halloween in Colorado, USA, China, and Germany, and in all of them, I needed to dress and accommodate my costume for the weather. So, if you live in a cold climate, be mindful of this potential risk during this and the upcoming colder months.
Again, this is not everyone’s experience, but I do recommend staying warm for one’s general health, as catching a cold and potentially further complications are not worth a cute costume. I am not saying one should not express themselves as they want, but they should also consider broader impacts on their health.
The third point I am making is not often mentioned, but it is the growing danger of EMI (electromagnetic interference) from devices that have now become staples of Halloween entertainment.
EMI caused by EMF (electromagnetic fields) has become a greater potential danger, especially over the past decade, as our reliance on such technology has increased exponentially. However, EMFs are known to interfere with pacemakers. While the device itself is shielded, sometimes EMI can still occur. However, generally, it is a game of distance. The farther away you are from it, the less likely the device is to impact you. However, devices that use EMF are increasingly common in society; specifically, for Halloween and trick-or-treating, it is now not uncommon to find such devices in costumes or masks. That is why it is essential to check your costume if it is store-bought. Secondly, if you are trick-or-treating, many houses use animatronic pieces that jump out at you if you walk by. This is triggered by my motion sensors, which use EMF. So, if you go to a house and see such statues or devices, I advise you to personally steer clear of them, or at the very least run past them quickly to avoid prolonged EMI.
Personally, I am very sensitive to EMF for reasons I will discuss at a later time.
However, I recommend that you not only take my word for it. But if you plan to go trick-or-treating this Halloween or participate in the festive ritual and have a pacemaker, don't hesitate to contact your doctor beforehand. Ask them about any factors to consider, including EMI and EMF. Often, one's experience with EMI depends on the pacemaker's type and settings, as well as the patient’s broader cardiovascular health. So, to be on the safe side, check with your doctor before you light the jack-o’-lantern, put on a costume, don a mask, and go candy collecting.
Tune in on Sunday to discuss haunted houses and pacemakers!
Keep ticking, my friends!
Reference List:
Brown, K.R., Carter, W. and Lombardi, G.E. (2005). Blunt Trauma-Induced Pacemaker Failure. Annals of Emergency Medicine, [online] 20(8), pp.905–907. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/S0196-0644(05)81436-2.
Mayo Clinic (2023). Sudden Cardiac Arrest - Symptoms and Causes. [online] Mayo Clinic. Available at: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/sudden-cardiac-arrest/symptoms-causes/syc-20350634.
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