pacemaker

[thelard]

I recently purchased the charge 5, paying extra from the charge 4 because it advertised it had a ECG facility. Nowhere in the advertising did it mention pacemakers. After purchase and on setting up it said you cant use it if you have a pacemaker.  Why is this so.

[Rich_Laue]

I would check with your doctor. 

The ECG reads the electrical signal that controls the heart. I don't know if the unit also injected a signal through the body. 

[rusgin]

Disappointed that you did not get a satisfactory answer. That's not an answer, (see your Dr).

If I were to get a Charge 5, I would want an answer that allows me to get or not get the Charge 5. Does that question stop you from loading the App?  If I answer that I have a pacemaker, does that mean you can't go any farther. The Black Friday sale for this unit lasts until Nov 30th. If I don't get an answer in time I will not be upgrading. Hope Fitbit is on the ball.

Dav Kelly

[LZeeW]

Hello @rusgin and welcome to the Community.  There’s a Physician’s Guide for the ECG app that’s freely available from the User Manuals.  Pacemakers are mentioned in the section on Inconclusive Results.  A pacemaker beat is “electrically” very different from a normal beat.  I suspect that this feature won’t help you if your results are always inconclusive.

I also want to add that this is a user-to-user help site, not technical support.  We are fellow users.

[Rich_Laue]

Sorry @rusgin however, we are fitbit users, not employees, and not part of the development team. this is not a medical board, and we are not able to give medical advise. 

Even a doctor, without knowing anything about a patient, would not be giving specific medical advise on this board. 

Pace makers, in general, are not used by the average fitbit user. I would think, my thoughts, because a pacemaker overrides tge bodies function, taking an ECG reading probably will not hurt the wearer. 

However as @LZeeW points out, we don't know how the pacemaker affects the ECG reading. For this, it is best to ask your doctor. 

If the doctor says that it is OK, It would be easy to take a reading, then send the results to your doctor for clarification. with no need to visit. 

[rusgin]

Thank you for the reply. Did some research on this and the reward is not worth the risk. It is heavily advised not to put your phone in a shirt pocket as that is very close to a pacemaker. Some say it is safe as the distance would be safe , majority say don’t buy one as the risk is there. I currently have the Charge 4 and have had it for a couple of years with no problems.  ( so far )