Can I go through airport security with a pacemaker or ICD? 

Yes, you can safely go through airport security with a pacemaker or an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD). Modern cardiac devices are designed with extensive shielding to protect them from electromagnetic interference. While the metal components of your device may trigger a metal detector alarm, the screening process itself will not damage your device or change its clinical settings. 

In this article, you will learn how to communicate with security staff, which types of scanners are safest, and the essential steps to take to ensure a smooth transition through the airport. We will also discuss the importance of carrying your medical identification and what to do if a manual search is required. 

What We’ll Discuss in This Article 

• Navigating walk through metal detectors without lingering. 

• The safety of modern millimeter wave full body scanners. 

• How to use your Medical Device ID Card to inform security staff. 

• Precautions regarding handheld security wands and magnetic interference. 

• Your rights to request a manual search or a private screening. 

• Tips for carrying medications and medical documentation through security. 

• Clinical advice on flying and heart health during travel. 

Navigating walk through metal detectors 

Most airports use walk through metal detectors as a primary screening method. These machines use low frequency electromagnetic fields to detect metal objects. For patients with a pacemaker or ICD, these fields are generally safe and will not affect the device function as long as you pass through at a normal walking pace. You should not stop or linger inside the archway, as prolonged exposure is what carries a theoretical risk of interference. 

Because your device is encased in metal, it is likely to set off the alarm. If this happens, do not be alarmed. Simply inform the security officer immediately that you have an implanted cardiac device and present your ID card. They are trained to handle this situation and will guide you through the secondary screening process, which often involves a hand pat search. 

• Walk through the security gate at a normal, steady pace. 

• Do not lean against or touch the metal sides of the archway. 

• Have your device ID card ready to show the officer if the alarm sounds. 

• Avoid standing near the metal detector longer than necessary for the scan. 

Safety of full body scanners 

Many international airports now use advanced imaging technology, also known as millimeter wave body scanners. Clinical research has shown that these scanners are safe for patients with pacemakers and ICDs. Unlike X rays, these scanners use high frequency radio waves that do not penetrate the body or interfere with the sensitive electronics of your heart device. 

If you are asked to enter a full body scanner, you can do so with confidence. These machines will likely show the outline of your device on the security screen, but they will not change your pacing settings or trigger an inappropriate shock from an ICD. Security staff are familiar with seeing medical implants on these scans and will treat the situation with professional discretion. 

• Millimeter wave scanners do not use ionizing radiation. 

• The scan lasts only a few seconds and has no effect on device battery or programming. 

• Security images are displayed as a generic stick figure to protect your privacy. 

• Informing the operator beforehand ensures they understand the image they see. 

Precautions for handheld security wands 

If the metal detector alarm goes off, a security officer may use a handheld metal detector wand to locate the source. These wands contain a magnet that can occasionally cause a cardiac device to temporarily switch into a different mode if held too close for too long. While this is rarely dangerous, it is best avoided to ensure your device continues to function as programmed. 

You should politely ask the security officer not to hold the wand directly over your device site. If they must use it, they should move it quickly over the chest area and not wave it back and forth repeatedly. Most security personnel are well aware of this precaution once you have identified yourself as a cardiac patient. 

• Handheld wands should not be held over the device for more than one or two seconds. 

• Remind the officer to move the wand quickly across your chest. 

• You have the right to request a manual hand search instead of a wand scan. 

• Always keep a distance of at least six inches between the wand and your implant. 

Carrying your medical identification 

Your Medical Device ID Card is your most important travel document after your passport. This card, provided by your device manufacturer, confirms that you have an implanted pacemaker or ICD. It is printed with information that security and medical personnel need in an emergency, often in multiple languages for international travel. 

You should keep this card in your hand luggage or wallet, easily accessible at all times. Showing the card at the very beginning of the security process can prevent confusion and often results in a more efficient screening experience. It also serves as proof for carrying essential medications or specialized medical equipment through the checkpoint. 

• Keep your physical ID card in your carry on bag for quick access. 

• Store a photo of the card on your smartphone as a backup. 

• Ensure the card has your current hospital and cardiologist contact details. 

• The card is valid globally and recognized by airport security worldwide. 

Your rights to a manual search 

If you feel uncomfortable with any of the electronic screening methods, you have a legal right to request a manual search, also known as a pat down. In the UK and many other countries, you can also ask for this search to be conducted in a private room away from the main security line. You are entitled to have a companion or a witness present during a private screening. 

A manual search involves a security officer of the same sex as you checking your body by hand. They will be respectful of your surgical site and the device location. This method completely avoids any risk of electromagnetic interference and is often preferred by patients who have recently had their surgery and are worried about physical contact with the wound. 

• You can opt out of scanners and request a hand pat search at any time. 

• Private searches provide a quieter and more discreet environment. 

• Security staff are trained to be respectful of medical conditions and implants. 

• Requesting an alternative screening will not prevent you from boarding your flight. 

Differentiation: Traveling with a pacemaker vs ICD 

While the security process is largely the same for both, ICD patients may feel more anxiety about the possibility of an inappropriate shock. It is important to remember that neither metal detectors nor body scanners will trigger your ICD to deliver a shock. The clinical settings in an ICD are robust and designed to ignore the types of signals produced by airport equipment. 

Pacemaker patients generally have fewer concerns about mode changes, as the worst case scenario is a temporary shift to a fixed rate mode that resolves as soon as they move away from the scanner. Both groups should follow the same clinical advice: move through the scanners at a normal pace and avoid lingering near any powerful electronic equipment in the terminal. 

Conclusion 

Going through airport security with a cardiac device is a safe and routine part of modern travel. By carrying your ID card and communicating clearly with security staff, you can navigate the checkpoint with minimal stress. Your device is designed to handle these environments, and with the simple precautions outlined here, you can focus on enjoying your journey. 

If you have recently had your device fitted, wait at least six weeks before traveling to ensure the leads are stable and the wound has fully healed. 

Authority Snapshot  

This article was written by Dr. Rebecca Fernandez, a UK trained physician with an MBBS and extensive experience in cardiology, emergency medicine, and intensive care. Dr. Fernandez has managed patients through various stages of cardiac device implantation and has provided clinical guidance for safe travel and rehabilitation within the NHS. This guide is based on current clinical safety standards from the British Heart Foundation, NICE, and the UK Civil Aviation Authority.