The most common presenting complaint of patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is that of intermittent claudication. Intermittent claudication is pain in the back of the leg on walking. The pain, discomfort or tightness usually starts in the calf muscle but may also move up to the thigh or buttock

Occasionally people with severe claudication may experience discomfort in their feet in bed at night (rest pain). This may take the form of coldness, pain or burning in the foot. It may be relieved by dangling the legs over the side of the bed.

Risk factors

• Smoking
• High blood pressure
• High blood cholesterol
• Diabetes
• Coronary Artery Disease