Intermittent claudication is the most common presenting symptom of occlusive arterial disease of the lower limbs. It refers to discomfort or muscle pain associated with physical activity, therefore it is relieved with rest. It occurs as a result of muscle ischemia. The major cause of this ischemia is vascular obstruction as a result of atherosclerosis; therefore the risk factors involved in its development also promote the occurrence of peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication, the subject matter of this work.Intermittent claudication is a common disorder in old-age individuals; the Framingham study has shown an incidence 10 times higher in people older than 65 years than in people younger than 44.It is known that people with intermittent claudication have a higher risk of death from cardiovascular disease; therefore, proper diagnosis and timely treatment enable not only relieving patients and improving their quality of life, but also preventing the cardiovascular complications arising from atherosclerosis and associated morbidity and mortality.
