Living with Claudication.

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nigelfrankreed1
nigelfrankreed1 Posts: 1 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Hi everyone after a life as a ultra marathon charity walker at the age of 73 i have been diagnosed with claudication. This means pain in calf's, buttocks and thighs.This is as a result of poor blood flow to the limbs.I have chosen to continue to do my 10,000 steps a week then dumbell exercise routine.To reduce the risk of other health issues like diabetes changing my diet to along the lines of a Mediterranean diet. Does anyone have any advise regarding fitness with this diagnosis.? Thank you.

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  • Gisel2015
    Gisel2015 Posts: 4,151 Member
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    I would recommend that you ask your doctor about it and/request a visit with an specialist and/or a Physical Therapist. Since we are not fully aware of your situation, it would be irresponsible for any members to give you medical advise. Good luck, and congratulations for trying to keep up with your exercises and diet.
  • BecomingMoreAwesome
    BecomingMoreAwesome Posts: 151 Member
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    Definitely talk with a cardiologist if you haven’t already. My mother has had PAD since her 50’s. The number one thing her cardiologist recommended (for her, YMMV, this is not medical advice!) is to increase her walking in order to build subsidiary blood vessels around the blocked vessel. My mom isn’t listening to her cardiologist’s advice and keeps hoping for a magic pill or surgery,
  • dea131313
    dea131313 Posts: 13 Member
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    Hi, congrats on being so active. Have you had a SED test done for high inflammation? just a suggestion...
  • madcatlady75
    madcatlady75 Posts: 5 Member
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    I also have claudication, and finally saw a vascular specialist last week who recommended lots of exercise to help build the network of blood vessels.

    I struggle to walk very far without the cramping but swim without a problem.

    I would be interested in hearing what helps other people.
  • Azdak
    Azdak Posts: 8,281 Member
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    madcatlady75 wrote: »
    I also have claudication, and finally saw a vascular specialist last week who recommended lots of exercise to help build the network of blood vessels.

    I struggle to walk very far without the cramping but swim without a problem.

    I would be interested in hearing what helps other people.

    There are two goals for exercise and claudication.

    1. How to exercise without pain in order to get the general heath benefits of exercise.

    2. Exercising to stimulate collateral circulation to “work around” the blockages.

    One: any exercise that can be performed to regular exercise guidelines — often non-weight bearing like cycling or swimming.

    Two: unfortunately, these exercises will not do much to improve circulation in the legs. The only stimulus that is effective in promoting the development of new blood vessels is ischemia. Unless there is a demand for blood/oxygen that is not being met, there is no need for the body to develop additional circulation. You need to think of walking as “vascular therapy”, not “exercise” in the traditional sense.

    Current recommendations call for walking at a speed/incline combo that results in claudication symptoms in 3-5 minutes. When mild symptoms increase, it is recommend to stop and recover, then repeat the interval for 30-60 min. This should be done at least 4 times per week.



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