Sternal Precautions

Sternal precautions are a set of guidelines provided to patients after open-heart surgery to promote proper healing of the sternum and prevent complications. 

Here is a PDF to provide to your patients as a visual to promote carry over and understanding of sternal precautions.

Sternal Precautions

DO NOT:

• Push or pull through your arms during:
• lifting objects
• getting up from lying down in bed
• standing up from a chair
• Lift your arms above your head

AVOID:

• Lifting objects more than 5 lbs
• placing arms behind your back

ALWAYS:

• Support your chest with both arms when coughing, sneezing, and standing up from a chair