How to Treat Intermittent Claudication
- Exercise Regularly. Even though exercising tends to set off claudication pain, it is important for a patient with intermittent claudication to exercise regularly.
- Follow a Healthy Diet. One of the best things a patient can do to treat intermittent claudication is to follow a healthy diet.
- Shed Excess Weight. ...
- Control Related Health Conditions. ...
How can intermittent claudication be prevented?
Prevention of intermittent claudication Because many persons who have intermittent claudication also have atherosclerotic disease such as peripheral arterial disease, coronary artery disease, and/or blockages of the carotid artery (carotid stenosis), aggressively modifying risk factors for atherosclerosis can help prevent intermittent claudication.
Is there a cure for claudication pain?
cilostazol tablets to improve blood flow and relieve from the claudication symptoms. Cilostazol (Pletal) helps reduce the pain due to intermittent claudication by widening (dilating) the arteries. This causes the flow of blood and oxygen to the legs to be improved.
What are the causes of intermittent explosive disorder?
They include:
- A genetic component (occurs in families)
- Being exposed to verbal and physical abuse in childhood
- Brain chemistry (varying levels of serotonin) can contribute to the disorder
- Having experienced one or more traumatic events in childhood
What does intermittent claudication mean?
Intermittent claudication, also known as vascular claudication, is a symptom that describes muscle pain on mild exertion (ache, cramp, numbness or sense of fatigue), classically in the calf muscle, which occurs during exercise, such as walking, and is relieved by a short period of rest.
What is the best treatment for claudication?
Exercise is an important part of claudication treatment....Recommended walking programs include:Walking until you feel moderate pain or as far as you can.Resting to relieve pain.Walking again.Repeating the walk-rest-walk cycle for 30 to 45 minutes.Walking three or more days a week.
How do you fix intermittent claudication?
You can do several things to limit how often you experience intermittent claudication and reduce the severity of the pain.Exercise regularly. ... Reach and/or maintain a healthy weight. ... Eat a healthy diet. ... Quit using tobacco products. ... Take your medications. ... Manage your stress, anxiety and mental health.
Can claudication go away?
You usually feel these symptoms in your legs, from your feet up to your buttocks. It gets better or goes away when you stop moving.
Does walking help claudication?
Walking and other exercises benefit patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), including those with intermittent claudication.
What is a natural remedy for intermittent claudication?
Vitamin E supplementation has been shown in controlled trials to increase both walking distance and blood flow through arteries of the lower legs in people with intermittent claudication. Increasing dietary intake of vitamin E was also associated with better blood flow to the legs.
How long can you live with intermittent claudication?
Of those who have the symptoms of intermittent claudication over a five-year period around 5-10 per cent will develop critical limb ischaemia, the most severe form of PAD. With critical limb ischaemia the outlook is poor – half of patients are likely to die within five years.
Does aspirin help claudication?
Editor—In their evidence based guidelines Eccles et al conclude that aspirin is unlikely to have a beneficial effect on the incidence of major cardiovascular events in patients with intermittent claudication.
Do compression socks help with claudication?
Many patients inquire if compression stockings are a viable treatment for claudication. They are not. Compression stockings may actually worsen the condition by impeding blood flow.
How do you unblock an artery in your leg?
Angioplasty is a procedure to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels that supply blood to your legs. Fatty deposits can build up inside the arteries and block blood flow. A stent is a small, metal mesh tube that keeps the artery open. Angioplasty and stent placement are two ways to open blocked peripheral arteries.
Should you walk through claudication pain?
It is good to push through your claudication pain, but if you are getting significant pain elsewhere, for example in joints or your chest, please see your GP and discuss your concerns.
Does heat help claudication?
People with PAD may experience claudication, a type of muscle pain in the legs that occurs while walking. Supervised exercise is the primary non-surgical treatment for PAD, but claudication often limits physical activity. Ongoing heat therapy has been well-established with lowering cardiovascular risk.
Are compression socks good for peripheral artery disease?
You shouldn't wear compression stockings with peripheral artery disease, and wearing them if you have diabetes and PAD can be dangerous. These garments can exacerbate PAD symptoms by impeding already-limited circulation. If you're wondering if compression socks are good for PAD, the answer is typically no.
Overview
Intermittent claudication is muscle pain that happens when you’re active and stops when you rest. In some cases, the pain is intense enough that it even interferes with simpler activities like walking. Claudication -related pain happens because of a decrease in blood circulation, which can indicate or serious health conditions.
Possible Causes
Intermittent claudication is a circulatory problem where a part of your body doesn't have enough blood flow. That lack of blood flow, known as ischemia (iss-key-me-uh), means the affected areas of your body don’t have enough oxygen. If ischemia lasts for too long, that can damage the affected area and even cause the affected cells to die.
Care and Treatment
Though intermittent claudication is a symptom rather than a specific health condition, a healthcare provider will likely order medical tests if you have this symptom. Those tests can pinpoint the cause of the pain, ensure that it isn’t another condition or problem, and help guide treatment.
When to Call the Doctor
If you have intermittent claudication, early diagnosis and treatment are very important to avoid or limit serious problems in the future. Several conditions have similar symptoms to intermittent claudication but are much more serious.
What is the test for claudication?
Some common tests used to diagnose claudication may include: Pulse measurement in your palms or feet to assess blood flow to the entire limb. Ankle-brachial index, a comparison of blood pressure in your ankles with the blood pressure in your arms. Segmental blood pressure measurement, a series of blood pressure measurements at different areas on ...
What type of surgery is used to remove claudication?
Vascular surgery. During this type of surgery, the doctor takes a healthy blood vessel from another part of your body to replace the vessel that's causing claudication. This allows blood to flow around the blocked or narrowed artery.
Why does claudication go undiagnosed?
Claudication may go undiagnosed because many people consider the pain to be an unwelcome but typical part of aging. Some people simply reduce their activity level to avoid the pain.
How to reduce pain in a limb?
Exercise. Exercise reduces pain, increases exercise duration, improves vascular health in the affected limbs, and contributes to weight management and an overall improvement in your quality of life. Recommended walking programs include: Walking until you feel moderate pain. Resting to relieve pain. Walking again.
What to do before a doctor appointment?
Before your appointment, write down each drug's name, dosage, reason for taking it, and the name of the prescribing doctor. Bring the list with you to your appointment.
How to help someone who is going through the same thing?
Some people also find it helpful to talk with other people who are going through the same thing that they are. In a support group, you may find encouragement , advice, and maybe even an exercise partner or two. Ask your doctor if there are any support groups in your area.
What are the best drugs to prevent blood clots?
Anti-platelet drugs, which help prevent the formation of blood clots, may reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke or clots blocking blood flow to limbs. These drugs include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix) and other classes of drugs.
What is intermittent claudication?
Intermittent claudication refers to an aching pain in your legs when you walk or exercise that goes away when you rest. The pain may affect your: calf. hip. thigh. buttock. arch of your foot. One form of intermittent claudication is also known as vascular claudication.
What tests are used to confirm intermittent claudication?
Diagnostic tests. The doctor will physically examine you and may use some tests to confirm intermittent claudication and PAD or indicate other conditions. If you’re a candidate for surgery, the doctor will likely order a variety of imaging tests. The most important.
Why does intermittent claudication feel like weakness?
a cause of intermittent claudication other than PAD. For example: Pain from spinal stenosis feels like weakness in your legs. It begins soon after you stand up. Pain may be relieved by leaning forward. Pain from irritation to a nerve root starts in the low back and radiates down your leg.
How to treat PAD?
Drugs and surgery can treat PAD and minimize its risk factors. Aggressive treatment to minimize risk factors is advised. Most important is treatment for any cardiovascular disease. In an article written in 2001, as many as 90 percent of people with intermittent claudication were found to have cardiovascular disease.
What is the mortality rate for intermittent claudication?
The 5-year mortality rate for intermittent claudication from all causes is 30 percent, according to a 2001 clinical review. Of those deaths, an estimated 70 to 80 percent can be attributed to cardiovascular disease. A more recent study (2017) found improvements in the mortality rate at 5 years.
Where does the word "claudication" come from?
Claudication comes from the Latin verb claudicare, which means “to limp.”
Why do doctors prescribe antiplatelet drugs?
Your doctor may prescribe drugs to help with lowering blood pressure and lipids. They also may prescribe drugs to improve blood flow to your legs. Antiplatelet drugs have been shown to reduce the risk of heart problems associated with atherosclerosis and PAD, although they don’t improve claudication.
How Can You Prevent Claudication?
Lifestyle changes are the best way to cut your risk of claudication. Try these steps:
How do you know if you have intermittent claudication?
It gets better or goes away when you stop moving. Other symptoms related to intermittent claudication include: An aching or burning feeling. Blotchy or shiny skin on your leg or foot. Cold feet.
What Causes Claudication?
Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is the most common cause of claudication. PAD is when your arteries, especially the ones in your legs, are narrowed or blocked because of plaque buildup.
What Are the Possible Complications of Claudication?
Over time, you might feel pain in your legs even when you’re not exercising. Cuts and sores on your legs might not heal like they should if you have PAD. If they become infected, you might get gangrene. That could result in you losing a leg.
How Do You Diagnose Claudication?
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms, lifestyle, and family history . A few tests can help find out whether you have intermittent claudication:
What is the procedure to clear a clogged blood vessel?
Surgery to clear a blood vessel that’s severely clogged. Your doctor may use angioplasty (in which they put a thin tube into your blood vessel to widen it) or a stent (in which they prop open a narrowed vessel with a tube). Bypass surgery if other options won’t work.
How to get blood flow to be better?
Eat a healthy diet. Exercise. A regular walking routine can improve your blood flow. It's important to control any related conditions like high blood pressure , high cholesterol, or diabetes. You might need other treatments, including: Medications to improve your blood flow or lower your risk of blood clots.
Who treats intermittent claudication?
If you or anyone you know suffers from intermittent claudication, the best option for you is treatment by Dr. Ahsan Ali. Call us at 469-808-0000 to book an appointment
How to prevent claudication?
The best way to prevent or stop claudication is to maintain healthy living and control specific medical conditions. That means:
What are the aims of treating claudication and peripheral artery disease?
The aims of treating claudication and peripheral artery disease are to lower pain and manage the risk factors that contribute to vascular disease.
What is claudication in the circulatory system?
Claudication is usually considered a warning of significant atherosclerosis in the circulatory system , indicating an elevated risk of heart attack or stroke. Additional complications of peripheral artery disease caused by atherosclerosis include:
What is claudication in a symtom?
Claudication is technically a symptom of disease, most usually peripheral artery disease, a narrowing of arteries in the limbs that restricts or limits blood flow.
Why does claudication go undiagnosed?
Claudication might go undiagnosed or unidentified because many people believe the pain to be an unwelcome but normal part of aging. Some people simply lower their activity level to circumvent the pain.
What type of surgery is used to replace a blocked artery?
Vascular surgery - During this type of surgery, the primary care physician takes a healthy blood vessel from another part of your body to replace the vessel that is causing claudication. This enables blood to flow around the blocked or narrowed artery.
Why does claudication occur?
Causes. Reduced blood flow in the arteries of the lower body or legs is the ultimate cause of claudication. A reduction in blood is usually a symptom of atherosclerotic occlusive conditions. These are conditions where fats, debris, and immune cells form a buildup called plaque that sticks to blood vessel walls.
When can a doctor diagnose claudication?
A doctor may diagnose claudication when identifying and treating an underlying cause.
How long does it take for claudication to go away?
Symptoms typically occur during muscular exercise and go away with 1–2 minutes. Trusted Source.
What is claudication in exercise?
Claudication is muscular pain, cramping, or fatigue that typically occurs during exercise and goes away with rest. Claudication is primarily a symptom of conditions that reduce blood flow in the legs, especially peripheral artery disease (PAD). The term claudication comes from the Latin word for limp, which is ‘claudicare’.
What are the factors that affect claudication?
The following factors can heavily impact the severity and extent of claudication symptoms: any underlying conditions. pattern and degree of narrowing or blockage. blood flow rate to the affected muscular bed.
How old is too old to have claudication?
The risk of developing claudication increases with age. Trusted Source. , specifically from 45 to 75 years, with the highest risk being from 65 to 75 years of age.
What does it feel like to have claudication?
Symptoms. A person with claudication may experience pain in the hip, thigh, or buttock. At first, claudication often causes a dull, aching pain in the lower calf. The initial pain or sensation can also travel to, or develop in, other muscle groups, such as:
What is intermittent claudication?
Intermittent claudication is pain affecting the calf, and less commonly the thigh and buttock, that is induced by exercise and relieved by rest. Symptom severity varies from mild to severe. Intermittent claudication occurs as a result of muscle ischaemia during exercise caused by obstruction to arterial flow. It is a common problem, with a prevalence of 0.6-10%1which increases significantly with age. Almost a fifth of the population over the age of 65 has intermittent claudication,2and, as a result of demographic changes in many developed countries, its prevalence in the general population is likely to rise dramatically over the next 20 years.
How does intermittent claudication affect quality of life?
Intermittent claudication has a negative impact on various aspects of quality of life3and on affected people's ability to continue to work. Its socioeconomic impact has not been evaluated but is likely to be considerable. More importantly, people with intermittent claudication have a significantly increased mortality risk. However, many people with the condition do not consult a doctor, and often doctors are unaware that their patients have the condition.w1Early diagnosis and risk factor control by primary care doctors is critical to reducing the mortality associated with claudication. This review presents current knowledge on the diagnosis, natural course, and management of intermittent claudication.
How long is a stenose in a common iliac artery?
The Transatlantic Inter-Society Consensus Working Group recommends angioplasty only in patients with single stenoses <3 cm long in the common or external iliac artery, with single stenoses or occlusions ≤5 cm long in the femoropopliteal segment, or with multiple lesions each <3 cm long and not involving the distal popliteal artery.22
Can intermittent claudication be detected?
Absent or reduced peripheral pulses or the presence of audible bruits supports the diagnosis of intermittent claudication, but some patients with the condition will have normally palpable pulses and no bruits. A low ankle-brachial pressure index (<0.9) also supports the diagnosis. However, the presence of palpable pulses or a normal resting ankle-brachial pressure index (>0.9) does not rule out the diagnosis. If the clinical history is highly suggestive of intermittent claudication and the ankle-brachial pressure index is normal, an exercise ankle-brachial pressure index should be performed. If a substantial drop in ankle pressure is observed after exercise and at the same time as symptoms develop, a diagnosis of intermittent claudication can confidently be made.w8In patients with an ankle-brachial pressure index >1.3 the result is likely to be artefactual secondary to heavily calcified vessels, and a toe-ankle brachial pressure index should be calculated.
Do antiplatelets reduce cardiovascular events?
There is clear evidence that antiplatelet drugs reduce major cardiovascular events. They also reduce the risk of arterial occlusion and the requirement for revascularisation procedures.w12 w13Various guidelines, including those of the Scottish Intercollegiate Guidelines Network, recommend antiplatelet treatment for patients with peripheral arterial disease.12w14
Does blood pressure control prevent cardiovascular events?
Good control of hypertension confers protection against cardiovascular events.15w16In diabetic patients intensive blood pressure control is more effective at reducing cardiovascular events and mortality.16There is, however, no evidence that lowering blood pressure alters the natural course of intermittent claudication, and a Cochrane review concluded that the evidence for the various drug classes is poor for peripheral arterial disease and that no recommendations could be made.w17The joint British recommendations for prevention of coronary heart disease, however, suggest that in peripheral arterial disease the treatment target should be a systolic blood pressure <140 mm Hg and a diastolic pressure <85 mm Hg.17
Do statins help with claudication?
Statins reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in this group of patients.13There is also some evidence that statins improve the symptoms of claudication, increasing walking distance and pain-free walking time.13Unless there is a major contraindication, all patients should be prescribed statins.w14
Why is intermittent claudication called intermittent claudication?
The condition is also called intermittent claudication because the pain usually isn't constant. It begins during exercise and ends with rest. As claudication worsens, however, the pain may occur during rest.
How to prevent claudication?
That means: Quit smoking if you're a smoker. Exercise regularly. Eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. Maintain a healthy weight. If you have diabetes, keep your blood sugar in good control.
What is claudication in a limb?
Claudication is technically a symptom of disease, most often peripheral artery disease, a narrowing of arteries in the limbs that restricts blood flow.
Why do my legs feel claudic?
This is caused by too little blood flow to your legs or arms. Claudication is usually a symptom of peripheral artery disease, in which the arteries that supply blood to your limbs are narrowed, usually because of atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis occurs when arteries get narrow and stiff due to a buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) ...
What are the complications of claudication?
Additional complications of peripheral artery disease due to atherosclerosis include: Skin lesions that don't heal.
What causes a narrowing and stiffening of the artery, limiting the flow of blood?
This is the buildup of cholesterol and other fats, blood cells, and other cellular debris into abnormal structures (plaques) on the lining of an artery. Plaques cause a narrowing and stiffening of the artery, limiting the flow of blood. If the plaques rupture, a blood clot can form, further reducing blood flow.
What Medical Tests Are Likely with This Symptom?
- Though intermittent claudication is a symptom rather than a specific health condition, a healthcare provider will likely order medical tests if you have this symptom. Those tests can pinpoint the cause of the pain, ensure that it isn’t another condition or problem, and help guide treatment. The following tests are possible if you have intermittent claudication:
How Is This Symptom Treated?
- Claudication treatment can take various forms, all of which focus on improving the circulation in the areas where you feel pain. Unfortunately, claudication also increases your risk for serious heart and circulatory problems, which is why treatment usually involves preventive measures to avoid those complications. Possible treatments include the ones seen below.
What Can I Do at Home to Treat This Symptom?
- You can do several things to limit how often you experience intermittent claudication and reduce the severity of the pain. 1. Exercise regularly. Even an activity as simple as walking (for at least 30 minutes, three or more times a week) can help intermittent claudication. One of the key problems with intermittent claudication is that it causes pai...
How Can This Symptom Be Prevented?
- Many of the items listed above that you can do at home to help this problem are also useful for preventing intermittent claudication. While it’s not always possible to prevent it completely, it may be possible to delay when it develops. That’s important because intermittent claudication is a symptom of PAD, which can significantly increase your risk of problems like heart disease, hear…
Diagnosis
- Claudication may go undiagnosed because many people consider the pain to be an unwelcome but typical part of aging. Some people simply reduce their activity level to avoid the pain. A diagnosis of claudication and peripheral artery disease is based on a review of symptoms, a physical exam, evaluation of the skin on the limbs, and tests to check blood flow.
Treatment
- The goals of treating claudication and peripheral artery disease are to reduce pain and manage the risk factors that contribute to heart and blood vessel (cardiovascular) disease. Exercise is an important part of claudication treatment. Exercise reduces pain, increases exercise duration, improves vascular health in the affected limbs, and contribut...
Clinical Trials
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
- A healthy lifestyle can help improve treatment outcomes and lower risks associated with claudication and peripheral artery disease. Recommended lifestyle changes include the following: 1. Quit smoking.Smoking greatly increases the risk of complications of peripheral artery disease. Talk to your health care provider if you need help quitting. 2. Exercise.Follow the exercise plan re…
Coping and Support
- Learning all you can about what's causing your claudication may help you better manage the condition. Some people also find it helpful to talk with other people who are going through similar experiences. In a support group, you may find encouragement, advice, and maybe even an exercise partner or two. Ask your health care provider if there are any support groups in your area.
Preparing For Your Appointment
- You're likely to start by seeing your health care provider. You may be referred to a doctor trained in heart diseases (cardiologist) or a blood vessel (vascular) surgeon. To make the best of your appointment time, be prepared to answer the following questions: 1. When did symptoms begin? 2. Do you have pain when you're walking or exercising, when you're at rest, or both? 3. On a scal…