The most common symptom of peripheral artery disease in the lower extremities is intermittent claudication. Exercise therapy benefits patients with intermittent claudication by reducing limb symptoms and improving both physical activity and quality of life.
However, a number of constraining factors limit patient participation in supervised exercise programs. This article summarises the current state of exercise therapy to remind readers of its importance for patients with peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication.
The most common symptom of peripheral artery disease PAD in the lower extremities is intermittent claudication [1]. Patients with claudication experience reversible muscle ischemia characterized by persistent cramp-like pain and aching in the affected muscle while they walk. The symptoms severely limit both exercise performance and walking ability. As a consequence, PAD is associated with reduced physical functioning and quality of life [2]. Supervised exercise programs have been recommended as first-line therapies for the treatment of claudication in patients with PAD [].
The treatment goals are: 1 to reduce limb symptoms, 2 to improve exercise capacity and prevent or lessen physical disability, and 3 to reduce the occurrence of cardiovascular events. This article summarizes the current state of exercise therapy in patients with PAD and intermittent claudication. Intermittent claudication is a cardinal symptom in patients with PAD. The classic manifestation is muscle discomfort patients may complain of muscle fatigue, aching, or persistent cramp-like pain in the lower limb reproducibly produced by exercise and relieved by short-term rest.
PAD is caused by stenotic or occlusive atherosclerotic lesions in the major arteries supplying the lower extremities. Patients with intermittent claudication have normal blood flow at rest.
