Which sign is associated with peripheral artery disease?

Which sign is associated with peripheral artery disease?

• A. Intermittent claudication relieved by rest.
• B. High blood pressure in both arms.
• C. Increased hair growth on legs.
• D. Increased pedal pulses.

Answer: (A)

Peripheral artery disease typically presents with symptoms caused by reduced blood flow to the leg muscles during activity. The hallmark sign is intermittent claudication—cramping, aching, or fatigue in the legs that is triggered by walking and relieved by rest. This pattern happens because exercising muscles demand more oxygen, but the narrowed arteries can’t supply enough, leading to ischemia; when you stop, blood flow meets the lower demand and the pain resolves. The other options describe findings that aren’t characteristic of PAD. High blood pressure in both arms isn’t a specific sign of limb ischemia and doesn’t reflect the arterial narrowing in the legs. Increased hair growth on the legs suggests better perfusion rather than reduced flow, which is the opposite of PAD. Increased pedal pulses imply strong arterial flow, not the diminished pulses usually seen with PAD.

Peripheral artery disease typically presents with symptoms caused by reduced blood flow to the leg muscles during activity. The hallmark sign is intermittent claudication—cramping, aching, or fatigue in the legs that is triggered by walking and relieved by rest. This pattern happens because exercising muscles demand more oxygen, but the narrowed arteries can’t supply enough, leading to ischemia; when you stop, blood flow meets the lower demand and the pain resolves.

The other options describe findings that aren’t characteristic of PAD. High blood pressure in both arms isn’t a specific sign of limb ischemia and doesn’t reflect the arterial narrowing in the legs. Increased hair growth on the legs suggests better perfusion rather than reduced flow, which is the opposite of PAD. Increased pedal pulses imply strong arterial flow, not the diminished pulses usually seen with PAD.