What age can you get claudication?

What age can you get claudication?

Age older than 70 years. Age older than 50 years if you also smoke or have diabetes. A family history of atherosclerosis, peripheral artery disease or claudication.

What does Intermittent claudication indicate?

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.

What are the risks of intermittent claudication ( IC )?

Intermittent claudication (IC), the symptomatic expression of lower-extremity atherosclerotic disease, is associated with a twofold to fourfold excess risk of mortality, predominantly from cardiovascular disease. 1 Functional independence is threatened in those with claudication due to limitations on mobility.

What causes intermittent claudication in the BMJ?

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% 1 which increases significantly with age.

When do symptoms of claudication start to improve?

Often when patients develop claudication their symptoms can be worse in the first few months. This is because it takes time for the body to adjust to the restricted blood flow. After 2-3 months the situation can improve due to smaller arteries opening up (collateral circulation) and carrying more blood around any blockages.

Can a person with intermittent claudication get an amputation?

Very few patients with intermittent claudication end up with an amputation and your surgeon will make every effort to avoid amputation, if your leg is at risk. Estimations of the risk of amputation vary, but it probably affects less than 5% (5 in 100) of patients with claudication.

How old do you have to be to get intermittent claudication?

Claudication usually occurs in people over the age of fifty; however it can occur much earlier in people who smoke, those who have diabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol. Unfortunately the blockage which causes the claudication will not clear by itself, but the situation can improve.

What are the medical problems associated with intermittent claudication?

Treatment for intermittent claudication may include one or more of the following: Treatment of related medical problems, such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and/or high blood sugar levels (glucose intolerance or type 2 diabetes). Treatment for these problems includes diet and exercise.

Can a person with intermittent claudication have diabetes?

Individuals with intermittent claudication may also have diabetes—often undiagnosed. In the early stages of PAD, patients may experience cramping or fatigue in the legs or buttocks while walking or exercising. This is referred to as “intermittent claudication.” Claudication may occur in one or both legs, depending on where the blockage is.

When does claudication pain begin and end with rest?

It begins during exercise and ends with rest. As claudication worsens, however, the pain may occur during rest. Claudication is technically a symptom of disease, most often peripheral artery disease, a narrowing of arteries in the limbs that restricts blood flow.