The "second heart" of the body: Here's why it is important (and how to activate it)
Let's learn more about this organ...
What is the 'Second Heart' in your calves
The soleus muscle along with other muscles in the calves, form a strong muscular pump system for blood circulation. Your body receives oxygen-rich blood from your heart before it reaches your lower legs, at high speed. The process of blood returning to the heart faces significant challenges, because gravity acts against it.
The calf muscles function as the body's secondary pump mechanism.
Your calf muscles activate to compress the veins in your legs during movement, and push blood upward toward your heart. Medical professionals refer to this process as the "calf muscle pump" while they also call your calf muscles your "second heart" because they help your actual heart distribute blood efficiently, through your body's lower regions.
Why is this important
Blood and toxins tend to accumulate in your lower legs when your calves experience insufficient movement.
The accumulation of blood in these areas leads to swelling and fatigue in the legs, and potentially dangerous blood clotting issues. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) forms blood clots in deep leg veins, which results in painful swelling and various other health complications.
Strong calf muscles protect against health issues by enhancing blood circulation and decreasing heart workload. Your calf muscles provide a basic way to maintain cardiovascular wellness together with boosting your energy levels.
Simple ways to activate your second heart
You don't require expensive equipment or gym membership to activate your calf muscles. The regular practice of simple movements will maintain robust operation of your second heart. These simple methods can be used to activate your second heart:
Walk Regularly
Walking represents an excellent method to activate your calf muscles. The muscle contracts with each step to elevate blood flow toward the upper body. A brief daily walk between 15 to 20 minutes, brings substantial benefits to your circulation system.
Calf Rraises
Begin standing upright then elevate your toes toward the ceiling while keeping your heels off the floor. Keep the position for several seconds, before returning your heels to their normal position. Repeat 10-15 times. Doing this basic exercise both builds up your calf muscle strength and enhances blood circulation in your body.
Stretch your calves
Stretching exercises preserve the flexibility along with the health of your calf muscles.
Place yourself on the floor with your legs straight, then use a towel or exercise band to grab your toes before drawing them toward your body. Maintain this position between 20-30 seconds and repeat several times.
Regular calf muscle movements should be performed when spending long periods sitting or standing.
People who work or spend time in long sitting or standing positions, should actively move their calf muscles as part of their daily routine.
Ankle circles combined with toe flexions and extensions along with seated calf raises, will maintain proper blood circulation.
Consider
compression socks
People who face circulation challenges along with extended periods of immobility, can benefit from compression socks, which use gentle compression to enhance venous blood circulation. People find these socks especially helpful during air travel, and long automobile journeys.
Benefits of keeping your second heart active
Regular activation of the calf muscles produces various positive effects for health.
Better blood circulation
Calf muscle activation leads to faster blood return to the heart, thus preventing swelling and varicose veins and blood clot formation.
Increased energy
Good circulation leads to better oxygen and nutrient delivery to muscles and organs, which enhances your daily energy and reduces your feelings of tiredness.
The practice of calf activation reduces both pain and swelling that occurs in the legs due to inadequate blood circulation.
Supports heart health
Your calf muscle pump serves to help your heart function more efficiently, by circulating blood which reduces the heart's workload and benefits your cardiovascular system.
The recovery process after illness or injury becomes better due to calf muscle strength.
When you have strong calf muscles they protect you from complications that occur after periods of inactivity, like surgery or illness by sustaining proper blood flow.
Sources
An article from Shaftesbury Chiropractic explains why the calf muscle is known as a "second heart"
PMC
A study published on PubMed
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We all know that the heart, along with the brain, is the most important organ for the body that is responsible for pumping blood. However, there exists a "second heart" as well, which functions inside your body, though it does not reside within your chest cavity. Let's learn more about this organ... What is the 'Second Heart' in your calves The soleus muscle along with other muscles in the calves, form a strong muscular pump system for blood circulation. Your body receives oxygen-rich blood from your heart before it reaches your lower legs, at high speed. The process of blood returning to the heart faces significant challenges, because gravity acts against it. The calf muscles function as the body's secondary pump mechanism. Your calf muscles activate to compress the veins in your legs during movement, and push blood upward toward your heart. Medical professionals refer to this process as the "calf muscle pump" while they also call your calf muscles your "second heart" because they help your actual heart distribute blood efficiently, through your body's lower regions. Why is this important Blood and toxins tend to accumulate in your lower legs when your calves experience insufficient movement. The accumulation of blood in these areas leads to swelling and fatigue in the legs, and potentially dangerous blood clotting issues. Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) forms blood clots in deep leg veins, which results in painful swelling and various other health complications. Strong calf muscles protect against health issues by enhancing blood circulation and decreasing heart workload. Your calf muscles provide a basic way to maintain cardiovascular wellness together with boosting your energy levels. Simple ways to activate your second heart You don't require expensive equipment or gym membership to activate your calf muscles. The regular practice of simple movements will maintain robust operation of your second heart. These simple methods can be used to activate your second heart: Walk Regularly Walking represents an excellent method to activate your calf muscles. The muscle contracts with each step to elevate blood flow toward the upper body. A brief daily walk between 15 to 20 minutes, brings substantial benefits to your circulation system. Calf Rraises Begin standing upright then elevate your toes toward the ceiling while keeping your heels off the floor. Keep the position for several seconds, before returning your heels to their normal position. Repeat 10-15 times. Doing this basic exercise both builds up your calf muscle strength and enhances blood circulation in your body. Stretch your calves Stretching exercises preserve the flexibility along with the health of your calf muscles. Place yourself on the floor with your legs straight, then use a towel or exercise band to grab your toes before drawing them toward your body. Maintain this position between 20-30 seconds and repeat several times. Regular calf muscle movements should be performed when spending long periods sitting or standing. People who work or spend time in long sitting or standing positions, should actively move their calf muscles as part of their daily routine. Ankle circles combined with toe flexions and extensions along with seated calf raises, will maintain proper blood circulation. Consider compression socks People who face circulation challenges along with extended periods of immobility, can benefit from compression socks, which use gentle compression to enhance venous blood circulation. People find these socks especially helpful during air travel, and long automobile journeys. Benefits of keeping your second heart active Regular activation of the calf muscles produces various positive effects for health. Better blood circulation Calf muscle activation leads to faster blood return to the heart, thus preventing swelling and varicose veins and blood clot formation. Increased energy Good circulation leads to better oxygen and nutrient delivery to muscles and organs, which enhances your daily energy and reduces your feelings of tiredness. The practice of calf activation reduces both pain and swelling that occurs in the legs due to inadequate blood circulation. Supports heart health Your calf muscle pump serves to help your heart function more efficiently, by circulating blood which reduces the heart's workload and benefits your cardiovascular system. The recovery process after illness or injury becomes better due to calf muscle strength. When you have strong calf muscles they protect you from complications that occur after periods of inactivity, like surgery or illness by sustaining proper blood flow. Sources An article from Shaftesbury Chiropractic explains why the calf muscle is known as a "second heart" PMC A study published on PubMed
