Scientists have discovered that you have a second heart - in your calf. This is the soleus muscle. It makes up only 1% of the body's weight, but if it stops working, the risk of death increases 4 times. The calf muscle pump is a system of muscles, veins and valves in the calf and foot that pumps venous blood (without oxygen) upwards to the heart and lungs. When this pump becomes weak or inactive, blood pools in the legs and feet. This increases the risk of various circulatory disorders. Its dysfunction is associated with an increased risk of mortality.

Scientists have discovered that you have a second heart - in your calf. This is the soleus muscle. It makes up only 1% of the body's weight, but if it stops working, the risk of death increases 4 times. The calf muscle pump is a system of muscles, veins and valves in the calf and foot that pumps venous blood (without oxygen) upwards to the heart and lungs. When this pump becomes weak or inactive, blood pools in the legs and feet. This increases the risk of various circulatory disorders. Its dysfunction is associated with an increased risk of mortality.