Is the NHS COVID-19 app safe to use if I have a pacemaker or other Bluetooth-enabled medical device?

The NHS COVID-19 app uses standard Bluetooth technology and standard Google Apple exposure notifications technology. To date, we have not received any reports through the service desk about interference with Bluetooth-enabled medical devices when using the NHS COVID-19 app.

It is sensible to be cautious if you rely on a medical device. A number of organisations have provided advice for people who use pacemakers, when using smartphones and other Bluetooth devices.

• Advice from the NHS about pacemakers

• Advice from the British Heart Foundation about pacemakers (PDF: 1.69MB)

• Advice from heart.org about devices that may interfere with ICDs and pacemakers

• Advice from cardio.com about life with a pacemaker

• Advice from the US Food and Drug administration

Based on the advice from the sources listed above, we would recommend the following, if you have a pacemaker:

• Try to keep your phone at least 6 inches away from your pacemaker.

• Hold your phone to the opposite side of the body from where the pacemaker is implanted, to add some extra distance between your pacemaker and phone.

• Avoid placing a turned-on phone directly next to the pacemaker implant. For example, do not carry a phone in a shirt or jacket pocket directly over or near to your pacemaker.

• If you experience any interference, pause the app, consult your GP or the manufacturer, and report a technical problem.