Why some patients pull, push — and break an old taboo.

While he recovered from multiple-vessel bypass surgery, a 60-year old man was surprised to discover that he felt younger than he had in 25 years. The rejuvenation was the result of enhanced blood flow to his heart muscle, and two kinds of exercise in his post-op recovery. “It was like going back in time for him,” says his cardiologist, Sasan Ghaffari, M.D., at The Cleveland Clinic.

For quadriceps: With leg partially constrained by a rubber loop, extend slowly at the knee. Release. Repeat eight to 10 times.

About six weeks after his surgery, he began working out on a treadmill, usually the first step in cardiac rehabilitation. Three months after his surgery, he took his exertion level up a notch by adding resistance training — lifting light weights, pulling or pushing…

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