Can You Use a Lawn Mower With a Pacemaker?

Mowing the lawn is relatively simple and doesn’t require too much physical exertion. However, wearing a pacemaker while cutting the grass can have a few adverse effects. If you’re worried about using a lawnmower while wearing a pacemaker, you’re in the right place to learn everything you need to know.

You can use a lawnmower with a pacemaker as long as you keep it at least 12 inches away from you. Another option is to use a manual push mower since it doesn’t have a motor. Make sure your pacemaker’s rate response doesn’t elevate from your lawnmower’s vibrations.

Throughout this article, we’ll break down what you need to keep in mind when wearing a pacemaker while mowing the yard, the best solutions to stay comfortable and in control, and a few alternative suggestions to maintain the grass and garden.

Mowing the Lawn if You Have a Pacemaker

If you’re mowing the lawn with a pacemaker, it’s important to keep an eye on your pacemaker’s rate response and how you feel. If you start feeling uncomfortable or the rate response climbs a little too high, it’s best to avoid mowing the lawn. Consider hiring a lawn care service to handle the job.

Here’s what you should know about using a lawnmower with a pacemaker:

• Riding mowers can produce vibrations that trigger your pacemaker’s rate response. The rate response feature on most pacemakers fluctuates with your body’s physical exercise. If you mow the lawn and the mower vibrates too much, the pacemaker’s RR will increase because it thinks you’re exercising.
• Lawnmowers should be kept at least 12 inches away from your pacemaker, according to Boston Scientific. This category also includes leaf blowers, snowblowers, chain saws, and the vast majority of power tools. The good news is most people don’t stand 12 inches from their lawnmower’s motor as it is.
• Most other lawn care equipment needs to maintain the same distance, if not more. If you’re thinking about using anything to maintain the yard that has a motor, ask your doctor. It’s also a good idea to talk to them if your power tools’ vibrations activate the RR feature.
• Manual push mowers, garden shears, and other yard work tools are okay to use with a pacemaker. Reel mowers are effective, easy to use, and don’t interfere with your pacemaker (as long as they’re manual). The vertical cutting motion slices the grass smoother, too.
• Follow your comfort level and don’t push yourself if you feel uncomfortable while using the lawnmower. Whether your rate response increases or the lawnmower makes your pacemaker feel different, take a break and find an alternative option. We’ll show you a few choices later in the article.

As you can see, there’s a lot you need to remember when using a lawnmower while wearing a pacemaker. It’s entirely possible to do it whenever you want to as long as you listen to your pacemaker.

Note: Always ask your doctor about using any lawn care machines or tools while wearing a pacemaker. This is a general guide based on credible sourced material, but everyone is different. It’s best to consult a medical professional beforehand.

The Best Solution for Lawnmowing With a Pacemaker

The best solution for mowing the lawn while wearing a pacemaker is to use a reel push mower. They don’t use motors or anything that could interfere with your pacemaker, not to mention the fact that reel mowers cut the grass better than rotary mowers. Keep an eye on the pacemaker’s RR while mowing the grass.

If you want to use a riding mower, it’s important to get one that doesn’t vibrate too much. Electric mowers produce less noise and vibrations, so they’re worth considering. If you want to know if a riding mower is right for you, check out our helpful guide.

Medtronic Academy claims physical activity will trigger the pacemaker’s rate response. If you mow the lawn with a push mower, you should expect a slight rate increase since yard care requires exercise. However, riding mowers or bumpy push mowers could be a problem if the RR is sensitive.

Those who don’t want to take the risk or want to know if there are other options can find various options to keep their yards looking good below.

Alternative Solutions to Keep the Grass Cut

If you have a pacemaker and you don’t want to mow the lawn, you can try some of the following tips:

1. Hire a professional lawn care service to mow your lawn weekly. This is perhaps the most common choice for people who want to use a lawnmower with a pacemaker. Instead of putting yourself in an uncomfortable situation, you can have someone else cut the grass without a pacemaker.
2. Switch your yard to xeriscaping, so you never have to cut the grass again. Learn more about xeriscaping to know if it’s right for your home. In short, it’s a form of landscaping that uses plants and rocks that don’t need too much maintenance. It’s better for you and the environment since the plants are native.
3. Get artificial turf instead of real grass, letting you avoid using a lawnmower with a pacemaker. Artificial grass is a good solution because it doesn’t require mowing, water, fertilizer, mulch, and so on. It’s not as beneficial for the environment as xeriscaping, but it reduces your carbon footprint.

There are more than enough ways to maintain your grass, trees, and garden when you’re wearing a pacemaker. Although you might not be able to use all of the tools and machines, you can take control of the yard and make it look however you want it to.

Final Thoughts

Using a lawnmower while wearing a pacemaker shouldn’t be worrisome or a hassle. If you feel uncomfortable or don’t want to try it, it’s always better to get a pro to handle the lawn for you. Whether you decide to use fake grass, gravel, succulents, and get someone else to cut the grass, there are more than enough alternative options.