When we think of the cardiovascular system, the heart usually gets the credit for keeping the blood running through the 60,000 miles of vessels in the body. However, behind the scenes, our calf muscles are also constantly contracting to return our blood flow upward, working against gravity, leading some experts to label the calf pump our “second heart.”
If you are not using your calf muscles, your heart and vascular system may suffer. Reduced calf muscle pump function is a risk factor for blood clotting in the veins, which can lead to serious complications, including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism, according to a 2021 study published in the American Society of Hematology.
