The second heart is a system of muscles, veins and valves in the calf and foot that work together to push deoxygenated blood back up to the heart and lungs. Vein valves act as trapdoors that open and close with muscle contraction to prevent the back flow of blood. There are two systems of veins at work in the legs: the deep system and the superficial system. The deep system veins are of a large diameter and are situated close to the bone, surrounded by muscles. The superficial veins are located in the fat tissue under the skin, and are visible. These two systems meet at two junctions, one at the groin and the other behind the knee. They also meet through a series connecting veins called perforators. Blood moves within the venous system because of the heart’s residual pumping force, the negative pressure in the veins created by breathing, as well as the contraction of the muscles in the calf and foot. The muscle vein system is often referred to as the second heart.
The circulatory system is responsible for delivering oxygen to the cells. It is made up of the heart, arteries, veins, capillaries, and blood. The heart’s pumping action forces oxygenated blood from the lungs to millions of cells throughout the body via arteries and capillaries. After the cells have been nourished, blood returns to heart through the venous system and is then re-oxygenated in the lungs. Our body has roughly 60,000 miles of blood vessels. The heart beats approximately 100,000 times a day pushing 2,250 gallons of blood. The venous system holds 70% of our blood at any time.
Symptoms of a weak second heart:
Swelling in the affected area
Chronic leg pain
Reddish or blueish discolouration on the legs
A feeling of warmth and sourness in the affected leg
Fatigue
Controlling symptoms:
Use compression socks
Strengthen your second heart, get moving. Our body uses calf muscle to pump blood from your lower legs back to the heart. Calf muscles are present in lower legs.
Consult doctor
Please note this post is only for informational purposes and is not medical advice. Please consult your doctor for professional advice.
Comments