Intermittent Claudication

Answer Explanation:

• The correct answer is ‘Exercise encourages collateral artery development’. This is because intermittent claudication, a symptom of peripheral artery disease, is caused by insufficient blood flow to the muscles during exercise. Regular exercise can stimulate the growth of new blood vessels (collateral circulation), which can improve blood flow and reduce symptoms.

Incorrect Options Explanation:

• ‘It usually starts in the foot’ – This is incorrect. Intermittent claudication typically starts in the calf muscles.
• ‘Management involves strict alcohol abstinence’ – While excessive alcohol consumption can contribute to cardiovascular disease, moderate alcohol consumption is not a direct risk factor for intermittent claudication.
• ‘The pain is not relieved by rest’ – This is incorrect. Pain from intermittent claudication is typically relieved by rest.
• ‘Beta-blockers may help alleviate the symptoms’ – This is incorrect. Beta-blockers can actually worsen symptoms of intermittent claudication by further reducing blood flow to the extremities.

Overview of Intermittent Claudication:

• Intermittent claudication is a symptom of peripheral artery disease, where there is reduced blood flow to the limbs, usually due to atherosclerosis.
• It is characterised by muscle pain or cramping in the legs or arms that’s triggered by activity, such as walking, but disappears after a few minutes of rest.
• The pain results from the muscles not getting enough blood flow during exercise due to narrowed or blocked arteries.
• Risk factors include smoking, diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, increasing age, and a family history of peripheral artery disease, heart disease or stroke.
• Management strategies include lifestyle changes (such as quitting smoking, regular exercise, and a healthy diet), medication to control symptoms and prevent progression of the disease, and in severe cases, angioplasty or surgery.