Intermittent claudication is a hallmark symptom of peripheral arterial disease and reflects widespread atherosclerosis. It presents as predictable exertional leg pain caused by inadequate blood flow during exercise. The pain location helps localise arterial stenosis and diagnosis relies on history, examination and the ankle–brachial index, with imaging reserved for intervention planning. Management focuses on cardiovascular risk reduction, smoking cessation, supervised exercise therapy, antiplatelet treatment and statins. Revascularisation is considered only when symptoms continue to limit lifestyle despite optimal therapy. Although limb loss is uncommon, cardiovascular mortality is high, making systemic risk management essential. In this episode, Dr Roger Henderson gives an overview of the condition and looks at how best to diagnose and manage it.
Access episode show notes containing key references and take-home points at:
https://gpnotebook.com/en-GB/podcasts/cardiovascular-medicine/ep-189-intermittent-claudication.
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