from journal Heart Rhythms
Smart watches and other wearable fitness
and wellness trackers may not be smart for
some people. University of Utah scientists
wrote in the journal Heart Rhythms of the
potential these popular devices have to
interfere with pacemakers and other
implanted heart electronics. They found the
almost imperceptible electrical current
emitted by sensors in health tracking
devices exceeds accepted FDA guidelines
and interfered with proper functioning of
cardiac implantable devices. These results
were achieved through simulated tests and
do not convey a clear, general risk.
However, authors say different levels of
tracking current from the variety of
available fitness devices could result in
pacing interruptions or unnecessary shocks
to the heart.