It’s a dangerous link.
A new study highlights the potential risks to people with heart implants if they are exposed to powerful handheld tasers. The research, published in Heart Rhythm, found that taser shocks could cause pacemakers and implantable defibrillators (ICDs) to malfunction. This could result in the devices either ceasing to function or misinterpreting the shock as an abnormal heart rhythm and delivering a shock inappropriately.
Dr. Lars Eckardt, a senior researcher at University Hospital Muenster in Germany, warned that handheld electro-shockers pose a serious risk to people with cardiac implants if used near them. The study explored the interaction between tasers and heart implants, particularly in the context of over 1,000 deaths linked to taser use in the United States. Researchers tested six pacemakers and 10 ICDs by implanting them under the skin of pigs and exposing them to taser shocks.
The results showed that the most powerful taser, the PowerMax, with 500,000 volts, caused all tested implants to stop working and triggered six of the 10 ICDs to deliver inappropriate shocks, interpreting the taser shock as a high heart-rate episode. Lower-voltage tasers (250,000 and 50,000 volts) caused less disruption, but they still led to some devices halting their functions.
Interestingly, the study revealed that the placement of the implants under muscle tissue did not significantly reduce the risk of interference from taser shocks. Even if the taser was applied away from the chest area, it could still affect the heart implants. The findings suggest that taser shocks to different parts of the body could pose a risk to devices implanted elsewhere.
While the study raised concerns about the potential danger of tasers to heart implant recipients, the devices themselves were not damaged by the shocks. Researchers emphasize the need for further awareness and caution when using electro-shockers around individuals with pacemakers or ICDs.
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