Where Can You Get An Mri If You Have A Pacemaker?

Getting an MRI with a pacemaker used to be strictly forbidden, but that is no longer the case. Many hospitals and imaging centers now perform MRIs safely on people with certain pacemakers. You need a facility that is equipped for “MRI-conditional” devices and has staff trained in the specific safety protocols required for pacemaker patients.

What Makes an MRI Safe for Pacemaker Patients?

The main concern is that the MRI’s strong magnetic field can interfere with how a pacemaker works. It can cause the device to heat up, move, or deliver incorrect pacing signals. Older pacemakers, often called “MRI-unsafe,” have metal components that react dangerously to the magnetic field.

Newer pacemakers are designed to be “MRI-conditional.” This means they are built with materials and software that allow them to safely enter an MRI machine under strict conditions. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved many of these devices since 2011. According to the American Heart Association, most pacemakers implanted after 2015 are MRI-conditional.

Even with an MRI-conditional pacemaker, the scan is not risk-free. The hospital must follow a specific protocol. This includes switching the pacemaker to a special “MRI mode” before the scan and checking it thoroughly afterward. The imaging center also needs an MRI machine with a magnetic field strength of 1.5 Tesla or 3 Tesla, which are the standard strengths used for these procedures.

Where Can You Get An Mri If You Have A Pacemaker?

Large academic medical centers and major hospitals are the most reliable places to get an MRI with a pacemaker. These facilities typically have the latest MRI machines and a team that includes a cardiologist and a radiologist who work together on these cases. They also have the programming equipment needed to adjust your pacemaker before and after the scan.

Community hospitals and outpatient imaging centers may also offer this service, but you need to call ahead and ask specifically. Do not just book a standard MRI appointment. You must tell the scheduler you have a pacemaker and ask if they are a “cardiac MRI center” or if they have a “pacemaker MRI protocol.”

Some hospitals have dedicated “MRI-conditional” programs where they perform several scans per week on pacemaker patients. These programs are common at teaching hospitals and heart centers. A 2022 study in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that over 90% of MRI-conditional pacemaker patients completed their scans without any serious issues when done at a center with a proper protocol.

What Happens During a Pacemaker MRI Appointment?

The process is carefully managed and takes longer than a standard MRI. You will first meet with a cardiologist or a cardiac device nurse. They will use a special programmer to check your pacemaker’s battery, leads, and settings. They will then switch the device into “MRI mode,” which changes how it paces your heart during the scan.

During the MRI, your heart rate and rhythm are monitored continuously. A doctor or nurse stays in the room or watches from a control area. The scan itself takes the same amount of time as a regular MRI, usually 30 to 60 minutes depending on the body part being imaged.

After the scan, you return to the cardiology area. The staff reprograms your pacemaker back to your original settings. They run another full check to make sure everything is working correctly. This entire process, from check-in to final programming, can take two to three hours.

What If You Have an Older or Non-Conditional Pacemaker?

Having an older pacemaker that is not MRI-conditional does not automatically mean you can never get an MRI. Some hospitals have protocols for “non-conditional” devices, though this is less common. Research published in Radiology has shown that with careful planning, some patients with older pacemakers can safely undergo MRI scans.

The risks are higher with non-conditional devices. The main dangers are lead heating, which can damage heart tissue, and device malfunction. Because of this, the hospital will take extra precautions. They may limit the MRI to a specific body part, use a lower magnetic field strength, and keep the scan time short.

You should never go to a facility that says they can “just do it anyway” without a formal protocol. That is dangerous. The American College of Radiology states that MRI for non-conditional devices should only be done at centers with a specific written policy and an experienced team. You must have a cardiologist present who knows your device and can handle emergencies.

How to Find a Facility and Prepare for Your Scan

Start by asking your cardiologist or the clinic that manages your pacemaker. They usually have a list of approved imaging centers that have the right equipment and staff. Your pacemaker’s manufacturer, such as Medtronic, Abbott, or Boston Scientific, also has a website or phone line that can help you find nearby MRI-conditional centers.

Before you schedule, you need to have your pacemaker’s model number and serial number ready. This is printed on a card you were given when the device was implanted. The imaging center will need this information to confirm your device is MRI-conditional and to plan the scan settings.

Most insurance plans cover MRI scans for pacemaker patients when the test is medically necessary. However, the additional monitoring and programming may be billed separately. Call your insurance company before the appointment and ask about coverage for “cardiac device management” and “MRI with device interrogation.”

Common Misconceptions About Pacemakers and MRIs

A common myth is that all pacemakers are a permanent ban from ever having an MRI. This is false. As of 2026, the vast majority of new pacemakers are MRI-conditional. If you had your pacemaker placed in the last decade, there is a good chance you can have an MRI if needed.

Another myth is that the MRI machine itself is the only danger. The real risk is the interaction between the magnetic field and the pacemaker leads, which are the wires connecting the device to your heart. Even if the pacemaker box is safe, old or damaged leads can cause problems. This is why the pre-scan check is so important.

Some people believe they cannot have an MRI on any part of their body if they have a pacemaker. That is not true either. You can have an MRI of your brain, spine, knee, or any other area. The protocol is the same regardless of which body part is being scanned. The only exception is if the area being scanned is very close to the pacemaker itself, such as a chest MRI, which requires even more careful planning.