Slow Blood Flow Causes Leg Pain

What is claudication?

Circulation problems are among the many causes of leg pain. A key sign of a circulatory problem known as claudication is lower leg pain in the calf muscles. This pain often occurs during exercise, but it also can occur at rest. Claudication is a typical early symptom of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), a condition in which the arteries that supply blood to the arms and legs are damaged or blocked. It’s important to see a clinician for evaluation if you have pain in your lower legs after exercising so he or she can identify and treat PAD or rule it out and determine the cause of your leg pain.

Most cases of claudication occur in adults older than 50 years. Other factors that may increase your risk of claudication are the same as those that contribute to heart disease:

• Obesity
• High cholesterol or high blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Family history of PAD