Current Activity Guidelines for CABG Patients are too Restrictive: Comparison of the Forces Exerted on the Median Sternotomy during a Cough vs. Lifting Activities Combined with Valsalva Maneuver

Abstract

Lifting even 40 lbs puts less force on the median sternotomy incision than a cough. The strength of the repair is significantly greater than is implied by the recommendation to "not lift more than 5 lbs".