Which symptom is commonly associated with peripheral arterial disease in the legs?

Which symptom is commonly associated with peripheral arterial disease in the legs?

• A. Constant claudication that is unrelated to activity
• B. Fast hair growth on lower legs
• C. Intermittent claudication
• D. Warm, well-perfused skin

Answer: (C)

Peripheral arterial disease in the legs causes reduced blood flow that becomes evident during activity. When the leg muscles need more oxygen during walking, the narrowed arteries can’t supply enough, leading to ischemic pain that begins with exertion and goes away with rest—this is intermittent claudication. That pattern—pain with walking relieved by rest—is the classic presentation and the best clue to PAD. The other options don’t fit as well. Pain that’s constant and unrelated to activity wouldn’t be typical for PAD, since the pain is usually triggered by exercise. Fast hair growth isn’t a sign of arterial insufficiency; PAD more commonly causes hair loss or thinning on the legs due to reduced perfusion. Skin that’s warm and well-perfused suggests adequate blood flow, not PAD, and PAD often presents with cool, pale, or mottled skin and weak or absent pulses.

Peripheral arterial disease in the legs causes reduced blood flow that becomes evident during activity. When the leg muscles need more oxygen during walking, the narrowed arteries can’t supply enough, leading to ischemic pain that begins with exertion and goes away with rest—this is intermittent claudication. That pattern—pain with walking relieved by rest—is the classic presentation and the best clue to PAD.

The other options don’t fit as well. Pain that’s constant and unrelated to activity wouldn’t be typical for PAD, since the pain is usually triggered by exercise. Fast hair growth isn’t a sign of arterial insufficiency; PAD more commonly causes hair loss or thinning on the legs due to reduced perfusion. Skin that’s warm and well-perfused suggests adequate blood flow, not PAD, and PAD often presents with cool, pale, or mottled skin and weak or absent pulses.