Immunity of cardiac pacemakers and risk potential of pacemaker patients, with special regard to high-power medium- and short-wave transmitters

The susceptibility of pacemakers and restrictions (limit values) due to national and European standards is analysed. In particular the situation for Swiss medium and short-wave transmitters is evaluated, including a typical mapping of the near-field situation around a short-wave antenna and an estimate of the possible risks for persons with a pacemaker. Although obligatory European standards for the derived limit values do not yet exist, the Swiss Telecom PTT has marked the high field areas around their medium and short-wave transmitters with a caution sign and also has attempted to inform the population. The limit value used by the Swiss Telecom PTT for this sign takes into account technical criteria (such as actual electromagnetic field values and manufacturers´ pacemaker data), standards limit values, as well as pragmatic considerations