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Question:
I have an implanted pacemaker/defibrillator. Is there any risk in my using an external defibrillator on someone else during CPR?
I am a 68 year old male, recently received a pacemaker-defibrillator implant. Am asymptomatic with no major lifestyle restrictions. I must take a CPR license renewal class which includes instruction in use of a cardiac defibrillator. If I were ever in an actual situation where I would have to use the device, would I be injuring myself? Would I need to alert the class instructor of my status or even consider the need to omit the defib part of the class?
submitted by Lawrence from Los Angeles on 3/3/2013
Answer:
by Texas Heart Institute cardiologist, Mehdi Razavi, MD
The likelihood of you (or any responder) harming themselves using an external defibrillator is exceedingly rare.
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Updated March 2013
