Diagnosis

Claudication may go undiagnosed because many people consider the pain to be an unwelcome but typical part of aging. Some people simply reduce their activity level to avoid the pain.

A diagnosis of claudication and peripheral artery disease is based on a review of your symptoms, a physical exam, evaluation of the skin on your affected limbs, and tests to check blood flow.

Some common tests used to diagnose claudication may include:

• Pulse measurement in your palms or feet to assess blood flow to the entire limb
• Ankle-brachial index, a comparison of blood pressure in your ankles with the blood pressure in your arms
• Segmental blood pressure measurement, a series of blood pressure measurements at different areas on your arm or leg to help determine the amount and location of arterial damage
• Exercise testing to determine the maximum distance you can walk or the maximum exertion without pain
• Doppler ultrasound to see the flow of blood
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computerized tomography (CT) angiography to look for narrowed blood vessels