What Are the Dangers of Scales to Someone With a Pacemaker?

A pacemaker is a medical device that regulates the beating of the heart through a series of electrical impulses. The human heart may over time lose the ability to contract itself regularly. If this is the case, a pacemaker is installed to keep the individual alive. Since a pacemaker uses electrical impulses, anything that sends electricity through the body, such as a scale with a body fat scanner, may cause damage to the device.

Lightheadedness

• When a scale sends an electrical impulse through the body to analyze body fat percentage, a pacemaker may be affected. This may simply cause a feeling of lightheadedness as the rate of your pacemaker may change to a different rate then your body is accustomed. If it slows down from the interference, you may experience a light-headed feeling.

Palpitations

• Heart palpitations are abnormalities of the heartbeat that the person can feel. They can occur when the heart is beating abnormally fast or slow. When the scale sends the electromagnetic energy through the body, it can cause a pacemaker user to have palpitations.

Reprogramming

• A pacemaker is programmed to beat in a specific way for the user to experience a normal heart rate. In most cases, an electric current such as the one from a scale with a body fat monitor will not change the programming of the device. If you experience increased lightheadedness, dizziness and palpitations that continue for more than a few minutes, reprogramming may have occurred. This problem can harm your heart and body and you should contact a doctor immediately.

Fewer Problems

• As technology improves, pacemakers and body fat monitors on scales may become completely compatible. As it is, pacemaker users generally do not experience any pacemaker problems when using a body fat monitor scale. If you experience any of the above symptoms, even for a few minutes, you should consult your doctor right away.