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You have a ‘second heart’ in your legs and when one weakens, the other suffers too. A cardiologist explains how to keep both strong and protect your heart health.
When calf muscles function properly, they prevent blood from pooling in the legs and reduce the risk of dangerous blood clots and heart failure. (AI Generated/News18 Hindi)
Everyone knows the heart is responsible for keeping us alive by pumping blood. But did you know your body has what’s often called a second heart? It’s not another organ, but rather your calf muscles, and their role in blood circulation is more important than most people realise.
Why Calf Muscles Are Called The ‘Second Heart’?
The calf muscles help pump blood back up to the heart, particularly from the lower part of the body. According to renowned cardiologist Dr Dmitry Yaranov, the health of your calf muscles plays a critical role in circulation. When they function properly, they prevent blood from pooling in the legs and reduce the risk of dangerous blood clots and heart failure.
Each time you walk, lift your heel, or engage your calves, these muscles contract and push blood upward against gravity. This action supports the heart’s function, essentially acting as a booster pump.
The Modern Lifestyle Problem
In today’s world, most of us sit for long hours, whether at a desk or in front of a screen. This sedentary lifestyle leads to weakened calf muscles, which in turn makes the heart work harder, slows blood circulation, causes leg swelling, increases blood pressure, and raises the risk of heart failure.
Dr Yaranov warns that no medication can substitute strong calf muscles, and that when one heart is weak, the other is also at risk.
How To Strengthen Your Calf Muscles?
Thankfully, maintaining healthy calves isn’t complicated. Dr Yaranov recommends doing calf raise exercises, which are simple and can be done while standing or sitting:
Exercise#1: Standing Calf Raises
- Stand on a step or block with just the balls of your feet on the edge.
- Lift your heels as high as possible, squeezing your calves.
- Slowly lower your heels and return to the starting position.
Exercise #2: Seated Calf Raises (Soleus Push-ups)
- Sit with your feet flat on the floor.
- Lift your heels off the ground while keeping your toes down.
- Hold for a few seconds, then lower your heels back.
Easy Ways To Keep Your Calves Strong
According to Dr Yaranov, you can maintain calf health with daily walking, climbing stairs, or doing calf raises while sitting at your desk. These small actions enhance circulation, reduce strain on the heart, and lower the risk of serious illness.
Neglecting your calf muscles can be dangerous, especially as we age. A few minutes of movement a day can keep your heart and entire circulatory system healthier. So, if you truly care for your heart, start with your calves.
Walk a little every day, do your calf raises, and support the silent ‘second heart’ that keeps you going.
