Heart Defect and Tattoo

I have a congenital heart defect, i also have a pacemaker. Right ventricle is where left one is suppose to be and vise verse.

My question is i am planning on getting a tattoo, and i want to know the risk due to my heart.  I am going to do everything I can to keep it clean, and the tattoo artist using clean everything and i have seen him work before, its not just a random guy tattooing me and using dirty stuff

[erijon]

I think that for a question that has the implications such as this, you should ask a professional. Perhaps this would be better suited for the Expert Forum, there a Cardiologist can answer your question which would be much more reliable.

Good luck,

Jon

[kenkeith]

Are you on antiplatelet medication?  I assume based on having a pacemaker there are inherent risks of blood clots and you are taking antiplatelet medication.  It seems the biggest problem with tats and a heart condition are the blood thinners involved.  A good artist will not tattoo anyone on aspirin...excessive bleeding washes out the ink and there are other technical problems. If you are on antiplatelet medication, there may be a slight risk to avoid the medication for several days prior to the procedure.  

Because tattoo parlors are not regulated there may be an issue of cleanliness and if instruments, etc are not sterilized there is a risk of infection.  But a good parlor reduces the risk.  Other than those issues there shouldn't be any problems.

Thanks for your question and if you have any other questions or comments you are welcome to respond  Take care,

Ken

[ed34]

I would also ensure that the ink used contains no metal particles. I don't think those inks are used any more, but just ensure that's the case. The reason is if you ever require an MRI scan in the future. The metal fragments have caused nasty burning sensations in patients.