intermittent claudication

noun

: cramping pain and weakness in the buttocks and legs and especially the calves that comes on when walking and disappears after rest and that is usually associated with inadequate blood supply to the muscles (as in atherosclerosis)
Aerobic exercise lowers blood pressure in people with hypertension, and it improves peripheral circulation in people who develop cramping leg pains when they walk—a condition called intermittent claudication.Jane E. Brody

Examples of intermittent claudication in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web For many patients with peripheral artery disease, an initial symptom is pain when walking or exercising, which is also known as intermittent claudication. Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 12 Dec. 2023 Just last month, the European Society for Vascular Surgery published its clinical practice guidelines on treating patients with asymptomatic peripheral artery disease and intermittent claudication, recommending conservative care for most of these patients. Annie Waldman, ProPublica, 12 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'intermittent claudication.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1868, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of intermittent claudication was in 1868

Dictionary Entries Near intermittent claudication

Cite this Entry

“Intermittent claudication.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intermittent%20claudication. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.

Medical Definition

intermittent claudication

noun
: cramping pain and weakness in the buttocks and legs and especially the calves that comes on when walking and disappears after rest and that is usually associated with inadequate blood supply to the muscles (as in peripheral arterial disease or Buerger's disease)
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