title: Challenging traditional activity limits after coronary artery bypass graft surgery: a simulated lawn-mowing activity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Physician advice and restrictions to patients following a cardiac event can, in some instances, lead patients to be fearful regarding their activities even to the point of inactivity. The purpose of this study was to test whether lawn mowing, one of the activities most strongly discouraged after coronary artery bypass surgery, could be safely performed in a supervised setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  Subjects participated in a 6-session simulated lawn-mowing protocol, calibrated to match the push and pull forces of using an outdoor nonpropelled lawn mower. Plain chest radiographs were taken before and after the protocol period. During each session, subjects' sternums were carefully palpated and electrocardiograms, heart rates, and blood pressures were monitored.
  
  
  RESULTS
  None of the 13 subjects experienced adverse arrhythmia events or detrimental heart rate, blood pressure, or sternal palpation findings that led to study discontinuation. The radiographs taken after protocol completion showed stable sternal wires with no evidence of sternal dehiscence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Simulated lawn mowing did not negatively affect the sternal incision, electrocardiogram findings, blood pressure, or heart rate in this small sample.
authors: Walter I. Berman Cardiovascular Prevention and Rehabilitation Department, Baylor Hamilton Heart and Vascular Hospital, Dallas, TX 75246, USA. jennya@BaylorHealth.edu
authors: Jenny
authors: J
authors: Adams
authors: Gwen
authors: G
authors: Pullum
authors: Pamala
authors: P
authors: Stafford
authors: Nava
authors: N
authors: Hanners
authors: Julie
authors: J
authors: Hartman
authors: Danielle
authors: D
authors: Strauss
authors: Matt
authors: M
authors: Hubbard
authors: Anne
authors: A
authors: Lawrence
authors: Valerie
authors: V
authors: Anderson
authors: Tiffany
authors: T
authors: McCullough
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001026:Coronary Artery Bypass / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007899:Leisure Activities; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged