PXE and Intermittent Claudicationclick to listen (6.1 MB)By Mary Krieger, R.N. One of the major systems in the body affected by PXE is the cardiovascular system-- the heart and blood vessels. Arteries carry oxygen rich blood from the left side of the heart throughout the entire body. Normally, arteries are strong and flexible, and the inner walls are smooth allowing blood to flow freely to muscles, skin, tissues, and organs. As a person ages, the walls of the arteries may become clogged with clumps of fat and other materials, called plaques. The arteries become hardened and narrow, and this slows down the flow of blood. This condition is known as atherosclerosis, and individuals with PXE may develop clogged, hardened arteries in their late 20's or early 30's. While atherosclerosis can occur in arteries anywhere in the body, it most commonly affects the peripheral arteries (arteries to the arms and legs) in PXE. The pulses in the wrists and feet may be weak or absent. When the flow of blood to leg muscles is decreased, it can cause pain, cramping, or heaviness in the legs which is called intermittent claudication. The word claudicatio in Latin literally means "to limp." The leg discomfort is "intermittent" because it begins with exercise (like fast walking or climbing stairs) and subsides when exercise stops. The reason for this is that the muscles in the legs need more oxygen when they are working. When blood flow is decreased, the oxygen supply to the muscles is also decreased. So if the demand for oxygen is greater than the supply, pain or cramping in the muscle occurs. If the narrowing of the arteries is severe enough, leg pain may also occur while at rest. The toes may appear pale or bluish, and they may be cool to the touch. In severe cases, sores or ulcers can develop on the lower legs, ankles, or feet. How is intermittent claudication diagnosed? To diagnose the cause of leg pain or cramping, the physician may perform a few simple tests: What can be done about intermittent claudication? 1) Eat a balanced, low fat diet with plenty of fruits and vegetables to prevent any further buildup of fatty deposits in the blood vessels Tell me more about the exercise program that helps with claudication... These are some of the general guidelines for exercise rehabilitation programs for persons with claudication. You should consult your personal physician before starting any exercise program. 1) Warm up for 5-10 minutes prior to exercise and cool down for 5-10 minutes afterwards __________ Sources: Stewart KJ, Hiatt WR, Regensteiner JG, Hirsch AT. Exercise training for claudication. N Engl J Med. 2002 Dec 12;347(24):1941-51) For reliable information on atherosclerosis, peripheral arterial disease, and other medical conditions, visit the MedlinePlus web site: http://medlineplus.gov/ |