Can a patient with a permanent pacemaker safely go through airport security metal detectors and millimeter‑wave body scanners, and should they request a manual pat‑down if an X‑ray scanner is used?

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Last updated: April 14, 2026 • View editorial policy

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Can Patients with Permanent Pacemakers Safely Go Through Airport Security Scanners?

Yes, patients with permanent pacemakers can safely go through both metal detectors and millimeter-wave body scanners at airport security, but they should walk through at a normal pace without lingering and have their device card ready to show security personnel. 1

Metal Detectors (Walk-Through Gates)

Metal detectors at airport security checkpoints do not interfere with cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) including pacemakers. 1 Multiple research studies confirm this safety:

  • A study of 200 pacemaker patients showed no electromagnetic interference (EMI), pacing or sensing abnormalities, or device reprogramming when passing through standard airport metal detector gates 2
  • An earlier study of 103 pacemaker patients found no ill effects, pacemaker inhibition, or changes in programmability 3

Key Safety Instructions for Metal Detectors:

  • Walk through at normal walking speed - do not stop or linger in the gate 1
  • Have your device identification card ready to show airport personnel before entering the checkpoint 1
  • The metal detector may trigger an alarm (detecting the metal in your device), but this does not mean the device has been affected

Hand-Held Metal Detector Wands

Hand-held scanners are also safe but require specific precautions:

  • No risk of interference with CIED functionality when used properly 1
  • Ask security personnel to move the wand over the device quickly and only once 1
  • A study of 388 patients (209 with pacemakers) exposed to hand-held detectors for 30 seconds showed no changes in device function, pacing abnormalities, sensing issues, or reprogramming 4

Millimeter-Wave Body Scanners (Full-Body Imaging)

Modern millimeter-wave and 3D imaging body scanners are safe for pacemaker patients:

  • No risk of interference with CIEDs 1
  • Do not linger in the scanner - move through promptly 1
  • A 2021 study specifically tested these newer scanners on 73 patients with cardiac devices and found no EMI events, no inhibition of pacing, no oversensing, and no spontaneous reprogramming 5

Important Caveat: X-Ray Scanners

While the question asks about body scanners (which are safe), it's critical to note that X-ray radiation can cause electromagnetic interference in some pacemakers:

  • X-ray radiation during CT scanning has been shown to cause EMI in certain pacemaker models, particularly those with CMOS components 6
  • The interference depends on tube voltage, tube current, x-ray dose, radiation direction, and the pacemaker's sensing threshold 6

However, airport body scanners use millimeter-wave technology, NOT X-rays, so this concern does not apply to standard airport security screening.

Practical Algorithm for Airport Security:

  1. Before approaching security:

    • Have device identification card accessible
    • Inform security personnel you have a pacemaker if asked

  2. At the checkpoint:

    • Walk through metal detector at normal pace
    • Do not stop or linger in the gate
    • If alarm sounds, calmly show your device card

  3. If hand-held wand is used:

    • Request that personnel move wand quickly over device area
    • Ask for only one pass over the device

  4. If directed to body scanner:

    • Proceed normally - millimeter-wave scanners are safe
    • Do not linger in the scanner

  5. Alternative option:

    • You may request a manual pat-down instead of any screening device, though this is not medically necessary

Bottom Line

There is no medical need to avoid airport security screening or request manual pat-downs. The evidence consistently demonstrates that standard airport security equipment—metal detectors, hand-held wands, and millimeter-wave body scanners—does not cause clinically significant interference with permanent pacemakers when used according to the simple precautions outlined above (walking at normal pace, not lingering). 1, 3, 4, 5, 2

References

3
Research

The effect of metal detector gates on implanted permanent pacemakers.

Pacing and clinical electrophysiology : PACE, 1988

5
Research

Security millimetre wave body scanner safe for patients with leadless pacemakers or subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

Journal of interventional cardiac electrophysiology : an international journal of arrhythmias and pacing, 2021

6
Research

X-ray radiation causes electromagnetic interference in implantable cardiac pacemakers.

Pacing and clinical electrophysiology : PACE, 2010

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This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.