Test of Intermittent Claudication
What Is Intermittent Claudication?
Have you ever had this swelling pain after a workout or walking? This sharp pain is known as intermittent claudication and it goes away when the person rests. A very severe form of intermittent claudication is called vascular claudication and this one does not go away that easily.
How does this pain occur though? When the blood arteries are blocked or narrowed, a significant pain arises, this is the main reason for intermittent claudication. If you start experiencing this pain, then it is a symptom of Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).
PAD is something not to be taken lightly, even at the earliest stages, it should be properly diagnosed and then treated.
What Areas Can Be Affected By Intermittent Claudication?
The areas that will be affected by intermittent claudication are:
- Buttocks
- Calf
- Hips
- Thighs
- Foot Arch
How To Use Intermittent Claudication Calculator?
Using the intermittent claudication calculator is easy, just follow the below-mentioned steps and you will be given the required results.
Step 1: Enter Your Gender
In the first step, all you have to do is enter your gender.
Step 2: Enter Your Age
In the second step, you have to enter your age group.
Step 3: Enter Your Cholesterol Level
In the third step, enter your cholesterol level.
Step 4: Enter Your Blood Pressure Level
In the fourth step, you have to enter your blood pressure at the time of using the calculator. It will range from normal to Stage 2+
Step 5: Enter The Number Of Cigarettes You Smoke
Here you have to enter how many cigarettes you consume daily.
Step 6: Enter Your Diabetes Condition
Enter if you have diabetes or not.
Step 7: Coronary Heart Disease Condition
Enter if you have any kind of coronary heart disease or not.
What Will Be The Results?
Upon entering all the required information correctly, you will be given a score and that score will depict your Intermittent Claudication condition. If the score that you get is <10 then the risk of having this disease in the next 4 years is <1%.
Additionally, if the score is 30 then the risk of having this disease in the next 4 years is 28%. This risk test is deeply related to peripheral artery disease but at the earlier stages. If not taken care of in a timely manner then the patient could even develop critical limb ischemia.
What Are The Symptoms?
There are various symptoms of Intermittent Claudication, and those symptoms range from mild to severe. Depending on the intensity of the situation, people may experience:
- Fatigue
- Heaviness
- Weakness
- Aching
- Cramping
- Numbness
If you start experiencing these symptoms then you should get yourself checked out immediately.
How To Treat Intermittent Claudication?
Intermittent Claudication is directly linked to PAD and if not taken care of then the person can develop severe problems. If the pain that you are experiencing is actually because of PAD then you should try doing the following:
- Reduce and control the hip lipids
- Restrict all kinds of tobacco products
- Control high blood pressure
- Maintain regular and special kinds of exercise
- Have a healthy and balanced diet
References
https://www.easycalculation.com/medical/intermittent-claudication.php
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intermittent_claudication