🦵 Your Calf = Your Second Heart ❤️

Your calf muscles are often called the "second heart" because of the important role they play in pumping blood back to the heart, especially from the lower limbs.

Here's why:

1. Venous Blood Return:

The veins in your legs have to work against gravity to push blood back to the heart.

The calf muscles contract while walking or standing, compressing the veins and pushing the blood upward.

This mechanism is called the “calf muscle pump” or “venous pump.”

2. Valves in Veins:

Veins have one-way valves that prevent backflow.

When calf muscles contract, these valves open to let blood move toward the heart.

When the muscles relax, the valves close, preventing blood from flowing backward.

3. Supports Heart Function:

By helping circulate blood more efficiently, the calves reduce the load on the heart, especially during movement.

4. Prevents Blood Pooling:

Inactive or weak calf muscles can cause blood pooling, swelling, and even conditions like deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

In summary:

Your calf muscles act like a peripheral heart—they support your cardiovascular system by keeping blood moving, especially when you're upright. That's why regular movement, walking, or exercises like calf raises are essential for healthy circulation.