Smart car keys could alarm your pacemaker
An alarm has been sounded by a Melbourne cardiologist about the potential danger of automatic keyless car entry systems interfering with a person’s pacemaker or cardiac defibrillators because of the frequency used by some smart keys.
Royal Melbourne Hospital cardiologist, Dr Joe Morton, said that interference was possible but still unlikely in most cases.
“For patients who have a pacemaker or a defibrillator and have a car with a smart key system they should probably consult with their cardiologist to see if they should have it disabled in their car.
“If they do not have it disabled they should keep the key in their trouser pocket and not keep it in their breast pocket right on top of where their pacemaker is,” Dr Morton said.
The keys respond to frequency 134.2kHz after transmitters emit a signal that automatically opens the car door when it recognises the keys approaching. The frequency is within the range known potentially to interfere with pacemakers.
