A magnet placed externally over the pulse generator of a pacemaker does not inhibit or turn off a pacemaker. Rather it results in closure of a reed switch within the pacemaker circuitry, converting it to an asynchronous or fixed-rate pacer mode so the pacemaker is no longer inhibited by the patient's intrinsic electrical activity. This is helpful when the patient's intrinsic heart rate exceeds the pacemaker's set rate and pacemaker function is inhibited. Magnet application then allows pacing to occur, and pacing rate and the presence of capture can be determined.