Mayo Clinic study links calf muscle function to mortality risk

Researchers have identified a significant link between the function of the calf muscle pump, often referred to as the ‘second heart’, and increased mortality risk. The calf muscles play a vital role in the circulatory system by contracting during movement to compress veins, which helps transport blood from the legs back to the heart against gravity.

Studies conducted by researchers at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota examined this relationship. One 2020 study analyzed the medical records of 2,728 adults who underwent vascular examinations. The findings revealed that after ten years, 18 percent of individuals with impaired calf pump function had died, compared to only 6 percent of those with good pump function.

A functional calf muscle pump helps prevent venous issues such as swollen ankles, leg pain, and a feeling of heaviness. When this mechanism is impaired, it can lead to various venous complications.