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Claudication Arm Pain

Patients with peripheral arterial disease may develop arm pain and claudication, a type of pain that often targets the lower areas of the body. Doctors may recommend treatments that reverse peripheral arterial disease and reduce claudication and arm pain.

  1. Peripheral Arterial Disease

    • According to the University of Illinois Medical Center, peripheral arterial disease, also known as PAD, is a condition that reduces the flow of blood to a person's legs and arms, can narrow blood vessels and is caused by a hardening of the arteries from plaque buildup called atherosclerosis.

    Claudication

    • Patients with PAD may develop claudication, a pain in the legs, calves and buttocks during exercise that results from an insufficient supply of oxygen-rich blood through narrowed arteries. Claudication may also occur in the arms and often goes away when a patient rests.

    Other Symptoms

    • Individuals with PAD may experience cold feet, loss of hair on the arms and legs and pale, blue or red skin on an affected limb.

    Atherosclerosis Causes

    • Atherosclerosis, or damage to the inner walls of blood vessels in a leg or arm, can result from high blood pressure, high cholesterol or smoking and causes PAD, arm pain and claudication. Diabetics may also develop atherosclerosis.

    Treatment

    • Doctors may recommend increasing daily exercise such as walking to relieve claudication and PAD. Physicians may prescribe medications to thin the blood or perform a surgical procedure to improve blood flow in severely narrowed arteries.

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