Ride information with a pacemaker.

Jessiemae · 17 Sep 17, 09:37 PM

My DH has a pacemaker/defib fitted. His Cardiologist has told us that there is a symbol on rides which will advise if he can ride or not. Apparently it looks like a box with a wire! Has anyone any idea if I can get a list of rides and their safety info/symbols from anywhere before we go?
Thanks

Guest · 17 Sep 17, 10:04 PM

He could go on everything that he wanted to at Disney but the only concern would be the overhead restraints on rides like Rock Roll Rollercoaster because they may press to tightly against the pacemaker. There could be concerns with the pacemaker getting dislodged by getting hit in the chest during the ride. Mission space should also be avoided because of the G forces generated in the spinning version of the ride.

At Universal any ride that has a metal detector prior to riding such as the Hulk should be avoided.

Signs may look like this:

**NewtoOrlando** · 17 Sep 17, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by Jessiemae

My DH has a pacemaker/defib fitted. His Cardiologist has told us that there is a symbol on rides which will advise if he can ride or not. Apparently it looks like a box with a wire! Has anyone any idea if I can get a list of rides and their safety info/symbols from anywhere before we go?
Thanks

I have dilated cardiomyopathy, and not at the pacemaker stage (yet!) Most rides have a sign outside that will say 'do not ride if... ' and if you go on my Disney experience it will give you the ride advisories/warning at the bottom when you click on each individual ride. Most rides had warnings on them, i had many chats with my cardiologist and heart failure nurse as I really worried beforehand about my limitations & I used my discression and ruled out any that went upside down, and anything that tipped (like the Simpson's ride at universal) and I felt find coming off all of them but forbidden journey at universal but that was more a motion sickness issue rather than a cardiac problem!

Pearlygatesuk · 17 Sep 17, 10:16 PM

Hi Jessiemae,
My wife had replacement heart valve surgery and she was advised by her cardiologist that she "should" be able to go on everything but should she have a cardiac event she may not be covered by insurance.

Your DH has a different type of condition than my DW but I would suspect that anything using magnets (some roller coasters use them to accelerate quickly) or high electrical current might need to be avoided. Of course if you went by the park recommendations, its doubtful whether he could even go on the carousel so there is definately a line to draw, just be sensible and take it slowly.

For my wife and I, we decided against any rides that invert the rider as we're unsure what might happen under positive and negative g force.

Have a wonderful time!

Pearlygatesuk · 17 Sep 17, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by NewtoOrlando

I have dilated cardiomyopathy, and not at the pacemaker stage (yet!) Most rides have a sign outside that will say 'do not ride if... ' and if you go on my Disney experience it will give you the ride advisories/warning at the bottom when you click on each individual ride. Most rides had warnings on them, i had many chats with my cardiologist and heart failure nurse as I really worried beforehand about my limitations & I used my discression and ruled out any that went upside down, and anything that tipped (like the Simpson's ride at universal) and I felt find coming off all of them but forbidden journey at universal but that was more a motion sickness issue rather than a cardiac problem!

Forbidden journey made me feel ill too

Ridersmom · 18 Sep 17, 02:26 AM

I have an implanted cardioverter defibrillator and have twice been to Disney since I had it implanted. I have not been to Universal. My first trip, my Daughter in law, who is a physician, was with me. I was able to ride everything at Disney without a problem (I do Mission Space Green).

I am not a thrill rider so avoided any rides that had a warning for heart patients. I don't recall any that said no pacemakers.

The biggest issue for me is I travel regularly and cannot go through regular metal detector and often have to wait to go through body scanner. Some airports do not have them manned and need to get someone to come over. It often takes me an extra 5-10 minutes to get through security. I had a card saying I had an implanted device. but no longer bring it with me. No one ever asked to see it.

While I resisted having it when it was first implanted, my doctor now recommends it not be re-implanted when the battery runs out and I am resistant to that. I've liked having my personal device and am glad I have it.

17 Sep 17, 10:04 PM	#2
	17 Sep 17, 10:04 PM Guest Guest
Guest Guest	He could go on everything that he wanted to at Disney but the only concern would be the overhead restraints on rides like Rock Roll Rollercoaster because they may press to tightly against the pacemaker. There could be concerns with the pacemaker getting dislodged by getting hit in the chest during the ride. Mission space should also be avoided because of the G forces generated in the spinning version of the ride. At Universal any ride that has a metal detector prior to riding such as the Hulk should be avoided. Signs may look like this: Edited at 10:07 PM.

18 Sep 17, 02:26 AM	#6
	18 Sep 17, 02:26 AM Ridersmom Imagineer
Ridersmom Imagineer Join Date: Apr 06	I have an implanted cardioverter defibrillator and have twice been to Disney since I had it implanted. I have not been to Universal. My first trip, my Daughter in law, who is a physician, was with me. I was able to ride everything at Disney without a problem (I do Mission Space Green). I am not a thrill rider so avoided any rides that had a warning for heart patients. I don't recall any that said no pacemakers. The biggest issue for me is I travel regularly and cannot go through regular metal detector and often have to wait to go through body scanner. Some airports do not have them manned and need to get someone to come over. It often takes me an extra 5-10 minutes to get through security. I had a card saying I had an implanted device. but no longer bring it with me. No one ever asked to see it. While I resisted having it when it was first implanted, my doctor now recommends it not be re-implanted when the battery runs out and I am resistant to that. I've liked having my personal device and am glad I have it.