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CompleteNumpty t1_j9g9kb2 wrote

Reply to comment by ThinkBlueCountOneTwo in when a limb gets amputated, how do they stop the flow of blood? by EnchantedCatto

The calves actually work as secondary pumps for the cardiovascular system (specifically helping to return blood upwards towards the heart).

As such, the loss of one or more calves has a detrimental effect on your cardiovascular health, with many countries treating below knee amputees as if they have heart disease.

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edjumication t1_j9hfkwc wrote

Interesting! I knew about the calve thing from my interest in spaceflight but I didn't know about the heart disease thing.

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natgibounet t1_j9hi7ml wrote

Wich countries ?

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CompleteNumpty t1_j9hl0av wrote

I was just going off what my old prosthetics lecturer told us, but the UK and USA definitely do. The exact action taken (preventative medication and exercise programmes vs routine monitoring of cardiac function) may differ within the countries due to different states, health boards etc.

To be honest I'd be amazed if any Western country didn't have some sort of policy to monitor or preventatively treat amputees, as the increased risk of heart disease is well-known.

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natgibounet t1_j9hma2j wrote

I should look into it, i'm surprised i never heard that even though i live in a western european country

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CompleteNumpty t1_j9hn73i wrote

As a significant quantity of amputations (maybe even most) aren't a result of trauma, but due to things like diabetes or peripheral vascular disease, a lot of amputees will already be getting treated/monitored for heart disease, which will muddy the waters.

I tried to find a source for you, but I struggled to find anything other than a few studies confirming the increased risk in traumatic amputation patients.

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