Intermittent Claudication Exercise Program
What is Intermittent claudication
It is pain particular in the calf as a result of too little blood flow to the muscles, the pain is due to the lack of oxygen. This pain is often described as an ache, cramp, discomfort, or fatigue.
It is called intermittent claudication as it is not a constant pain. It comes after exercise most commonly walking and eases after rest.
Intermittent claudication pain is most commonly a symptom of Peripheral Vascular Disease
Example
You may describe a pain after 100 meters of walking, you then stop walking by sitting or standing. The pain will ease and you can begin walking again, after another 100 metres or so the pain returns and eases after rest.
What can help outside of exercise
Changes to our lifestyle that can help;
Quitting smoking,
Control blood pressure and cholesterol levels and
With diabetes controlling your blood glucose levels in an appropriate range
Exercise program
3 x times a week for approx. 30 mins.
You can start with:
Walking on treadmill 3.2kms per hour
Starting at 0 degrees incline increasing 2 degrees every 2 mins
The aim of the walk is to continue walking until you get to your maximal pain threshold. Then rest and go again for the 30 minutes.
By pushing your pain threshold, you aim to form new collateral arteries and improve the health of the major arteries in the legs. This in turn increases your distance before intermittent claudication pain starts and improves the health of your feet and legs because of the increased blood flow.
It is also encouraged to exercise more than this by daily walks and strength programs these should be discussed with a Podiatrist, Physiotherapist or your GP
