Peripheral arterial disease typically presents with claudication on exertion relieved by rest, along with signs of chronic ischemia such as skin changes and decreased pulses. Which statement best reflects this presentation?

Peripheral arterial disease typically presents with claudication on exertion relieved by rest, along with signs of chronic ischemia such as skin changes and decreased pulses. Which statement best reflects this presentation?

• A. Claudication brought on by exercise and relieved with rest. Muscle atrophy, thin/shiny skin, hair loss, thick nails, cool limbs, usually no edema, decreased capillary refill, decreased/absent pulses
• B. Sudden unilateral leg swelling
• C. Painful calves at rest only
• D. Chronic edema with varicose veins

Answer: (A)

Intermittent claudication with signs of chronic limb ischemia is classic for peripheral arterial disease. The key idea is that reduced arterial blood flow from atherosclerotic narrowing limits muscle perfusion during exercise, causing leg pain when active that improves with rest as demand falls. Over time, chronic ischemia produces visible skin and nail changes and weak/diminished distal pulses. The limb tends to be cool because of diminished arterial inflow, and capillary refill is slowed. Edema is not typical in PAD, which helps distinguish it from venous problems. The other statements describe conditions unlikely to be PAD: sudden unilateral leg swelling points to acute DVT; pain in the calves at rest suggests rest pain seen in advanced PAD or critical limb ischemia rather than claudication; chronic edema with varicose veins fits venous insufficiency. Therefore, the description with exertional claudication relieved by rest plus skin changes and decreased pulses best reflects PAD.

Intermittent claudication with signs of chronic limb ischemia is classic for peripheral arterial disease. The key idea is that reduced arterial blood flow from atherosclerotic narrowing limits muscle perfusion during exercise, causing leg pain when active that improves with rest as demand falls. Over time, chronic ischemia produces visible skin and nail changes and weak/diminished distal pulses. The limb tends to be cool because of diminished arterial inflow, and capillary refill is slowed. Edema is not typical in PAD, which helps distinguish it from venous problems.

The other statements describe conditions unlikely to be PAD: sudden unilateral leg swelling points to acute DVT; pain in the calves at rest suggests rest pain seen in advanced PAD or critical limb ischemia rather than claudication; chronic edema with varicose veins fits venous insufficiency. Therefore, the description with exertional claudication relieved by rest plus skin changes and decreased pulses best reflects PAD.