Leg muscle function linked to mortality risk, Mayo Clinic studies find

Medical researchers say the muscles in the legs function as a secondary pump that pushes blood back toward the heart with every step, a role often described as the body's "second heart." A study conducted by Mayo Clinic's vascular laboratory in Minnesota tracked 2,728 adults and found that participants with weak leg-pump function faced higher mortality over the following years. Over a ten-year follow-up period, the death rate among adults with normal pump function was approximately 6 percent, compared with 18 percent among those whose pump function was impaired. A broader Mayo Clinic analysis covering roughly 6,000 patients confirmed a similar pattern, showing that mortality risk rose as pump function declined and more than doubled for those with weak function compared with adults whose pumps worked effectively. Experts say walking, running, climbing stairs and heel raises are among the simplest ways to engage the leg muscles. They recommend that people who sit for long periods stand up and move briefly at least once every hour, or flex their ankles if standing is not possible. The American Heart Association has issued similar guidance on taking hourly movement breaks. The World Health Organization advises at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity per week, along with muscle-strengthening exercises on two days. Clinicians also note that persistent leg swelling, sudden pain, redness or warmth can signal a serious condition such as a blood clot and warrants medical evaluation.