The calf muscle is often called the body’s ‘second heart’ 🦵❤️ Why? Because it plays a major role in circulation. When your calf muscles contract—especially during walking—they squeeze the deep veins of the lower leg and help push blood upward against gravity back to the heart. This system is known as the calf muscle pump. If the calves are weak or inactive (prolonged sitting, immobilization, injury), blood can pool in the legs, leading to swelling, fatigue, and increased risk of circulation pro

Why Is the Calf Muscle Considered the Second Heart ... The calf muscles are called the "second heart" because they function as a muscular pump (calf muscle pump or CMP) that aids the main heart in returning deoxygenated blood from the legs back to the heart and lungs against the force of gravity. When you walk or move your legs, the calf muscles contract, squeezing the veins and compressing the blood, which pushes it upward towards the heart. This mechanism is crucial for healthy circulation, he