Is It Dangerous To Set Off Store Security Alarms With A Pacemaker?

— -- Question: I have heard that patients with pacemakers set off security alarms at department stores. Is this true and is it dangerous for them?

Answer: Department store security scanners can affect a pacemaker or defibrillator temporarily, but only if you stand in the scanner for a long period of time. So it's important to walk briskly through these scanners. And indeed, it is certainly possible that when you go through the scanner that your device can trip it and make it go off.