What is intermittent claudication?

Intermittent claudication refers specifically to a condition characterized by muscle pain, typically in the legs, that occurs during physical activity, such as walking or exercise, and is relieved by rest. This pain is primarily due to insufficient blood flow to the muscles, usually resulting from peripheral artery disease (PAD). During physical exertion, the demand for oxygen increases, but when blood flow is compromised, it leads to ischemic pain, which is then alleviated when the individual stops the activity, allowing blood flow to once again meet the oxygen requirements of the muscles.

The other choices describe different situations that are not aligned with the definition of intermittent claudication. Pain at rest indicates more severe arterial disease or critical limb ischemia. Persistent pain regardless of activity could suggest conditions unrelated to claudication, such as neuropathy or other types of musculoskeletal pain. Swelling in the legs could be a sign of venous insufficiency or heart failure, but it does not relate to the characteristic symptoms of claudication at all. Understanding these distinctions is important for accurate diagnosis and treatment of vascular issues.