The calf: Your Second Heart
The calf muscle plays an important role within the circulatory system that is similar to the heart. One pump of the heart exerts enough power to send blood throughout the body, reaching the lower extremities in just seconds. That oxygen-rich blood flows through arteries and capillaries to reach every cell of the body, providing oxygen and nourishment.
The oxygen-depleted blood then travels back up through veins to reach the heart, where it will pass into the lungs to receive a replenishing supply of oxygen. The challenge is that traveling back up to the heart takes more force than a single pump of the heart can provide because the blood is flowing counter to gravity. The calf muscle actually assist the heart in circulating blood throughout your body, and that's why keeping your calves strong is just as important as protecting your heart through good nutrition, exercise and other healthy lifestyle choices.