Claudication

Overview

Claudication is the name for muscle pain that happens when you’re active and stops when you rest. This usually happens in your legs. You may be walking along and have to stop. But the pain gets better when you stand still for two to five minutes. Vascular claudication is usually a symptom of serious blood flow problems, especially peripheral artery disease (PAD).

Vascular claudication may lead to critical limb ischemia. This is a severe blockage in a leg or arm artery. But there’s hope. Claudication treatments of various types can lower your risk of damaging a limb.

Another type, neurogenic claudication, comes from problems with your spine and nervous system.

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Symptoms

When to see a doctor

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Complications

Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.

The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:

High blood pressure.
Diabetes.
Heart failure.
Some types of heart valve disease.

Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.

Prevention

Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:

Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
Don't smoke or use tobacco.
Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
Maintain a healthy weight.
Reduce and manage stress.

By Freedmans Health Clinic Staff

Living with atrial fibrillation?

Connect with others like you for support and answers to your questions in the Heart Rhythm Conditions support group on Freedmans Health Clinic Connect, a patient community.