So, whay doesn't the heart ever suffer cramp then?

[Pupp]

This was the rather odd thought I had last night after eventually managing to unknot my calves after an interval session on the rollers (bike trainer). It's only a muscle, right; and muscles cramp when the conditions are right (wrong)?

[Farmerpalmer]

the heart does suffer from "cramps"...its called angina. But usually in patients with pre-existing narrowing of blood vessels, although there are other factors.

[ewenm]

I suspect that the supply of essential nutrients to the heart muscle is better established than the supply to your calves. After all, people who are likely to succumb to "heart cramps" will die younger, so are less likely to pass on their "heart cramp susceptibility" genes.

[andrew186]

just like to point out that angina is not your heart muscle "cramping"

it is your heart muscle being starved of oxygen causing pain

a cramp is when a muscle is over contracted and the lack or some salts can predispose to this

and yes your heart can cramp but it is very rare because the heart is an incredible muscle that can withstand loads of work and (assuming heart is perfectly normal) it takes a great deal for the heart to be put in a situation where its muscles are at its limit

your calf muscles dont have the same sort of limits!

[Driller]

Pupp said:

This was the rather odd thought I had last night after eventually managing to unknot my calves after an interval session on the rollers (bike trainer). It's only a muscle, right; and muscles cramp when the conditions are right (wrong)?

Heart muscle is a unique type of muscle in the body. It has evolved over time to be able to work all the time without cramping for obvious reasons. Along with the smooth muscle in your intestines it makes up the involuntary muscle in the body.

All the other muscles, skeletal muscles, are of the voluntary type that can cramp.

[timmybob]

Driller said:

Heart muscle is a unique type of muscle in the body. It has evolved over time to be able to work all the time without cramping for obvious reasons. Along with the smooth muscle in, for example, your intestines it makes up the involuntary muscle in the body.

EFA - rather hoping I've got involuntary smooth muscle in more than just my gut...

[Driller]

timmybob said:

EFA - rather hoping I've got involuntary smooth muscle in more than just my gut...

Do you have a plan B in case you don't?

[timmybob]

Driller said:

Do you have a plan B in case you don't?

The fact I'm maintaining my BP suggests I'll be OK without one

[Driller]

timmybob said:

The fact I'm maintaining my BP suggests I'll be OK without one

You must have the Windows Tunica Media Player then