What condition is claudication most commonly associated with?

Claudication is a condition characterized by muscle pain or cramping that occurs during physical activity, such as walking, and is typically relieved by rest. It is most commonly associated with peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is atherosclerosis in the peripheral arteries, leading to reduced blood flow to the limbs. When muscles in the legs do not receive enough oxygenated blood during exertion, cramping or pain results, which is the hallmark of claudication.

In the context of PAD, the narrowing or blockage of arteries limits blood flow, especially during activities that increase demand, such as walking or climbing stairs. This relationship between PAD and claudication emphasizes the importance of recognizing intermittent claudication symptoms as a potential indicator of systemic atherosclerosis, which can also impact the coronary and cerebral arteries.

Other conditions listed, such as congestive heart failure, asthma, and coronary artery disease, do not primarily feature claudication as a symptom. While coronary artery disease can manifest similar symptoms through angina during exertion, it affects the heart rather than the peripheral circulation and does not lead to the specific symptoms of claudication experienced in PAD. Therefore, claudication's direct connection to PAD marks it as the correct association.