Standard pacemakers are fine with the zapper.
TWO DEVICES REQUIRE A MODIFIED “Leg Zapping” contact arrangement. These are: Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators (ICD’s) and “smart pacemakers.”
These devices “listen” to the electrical signals put out by the heart muscles. When it detects a high frequency signal above the normal “heart signal” range of 10-100 Hz, the ICD is set to interpret it as fibrillation, and to correct it by a massive jolt of electricity to restart and synchronize the fibrillating tissue. If an AC current of 1000 microamps or more (and even as low as 200 microamps in some cases) is applied to the torso, it may be detected and wrongly interpreted as fibrillation, with the resulting defibrillation signal jolting the heart muscle needlessly.
Even though Hulda Clark zappers always put out DC pulses, the induced currents may appear as AC inside the body to te ICD trigger detector, and can cause these unwarranted defibrillation pulses.
If you have an ICD, DO NOT USE A ZAPPER HAND TO HAND. USE THE “LEG ZAPPING” approach to prevent current from entering the torso.
There are also new technology “smart pacemakers” like the Medtronics EnPulse that watch the heart’s natural signal, intervening or “pacing” only when needed. They are unlikely to have a problem with the zapper current because they monitor the 10-100 Hz frequency band. However, if they do detect zapper current as a stimulus, they will produce a slow pacing signal that may interact with the heart’s natural pacemaker output to give a surging sensation as the heart rate varies. In a small group, about 5% of users, it is possible that this slow pacing signal could cause a type of fast heartbeat that could cause serious problems.
The standard way to handle and assess these risks for “smart pacemaker” wearers is for the patient to bring the zapper to their cardiologist’s office, and apply the zapper current in the usual way while monitoring the smart pacemaker’s output via its built-in telemetry link to the doctor’s computer readout. If there is a problem, it will show up clearly as arrhythmia or other abnormality. If no effect is observed, the doctor can then increase the trigger sensitivity of the implanted device with his remote programmer, and see how much safety margin exists for this patient before problems appear. If the zapper does not cause an effect with the sensitivity raised one increment from its programmed setting, it is regarded as having an adequate margin of safety, and may be safely used. In any case, you may use the “Leg Zapping” method to safely enjoy the benefits of zapping.
Please see our post giving details on the Leg Zapping method. We also recommend the Leg Zapping method during pregnancy.
