Imagine this: You’re walking with your friend when suddenly they get a cramp in their leg. You help them to a bench, and the cramp seems to get better. However, as soon as you both begin walking again, the cramp returns. Unfortunately for your friend, this cramping could be a sign of clogged arteries.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, cramps that happen in legs when walking can be a red flag of atherosclerosis. In fact, this type of cramping has a name: intermittent claudication. Specifically, if a muscle experiences claudication, then it’s not getting enough blood during exercise (per theMayo Clinic). And while clogged arteries can lead to cramping in the legs, claudication can also cause pain in the feet, hips, and buttocks. In addition, claudication can occur in the upper half of your body — biceps, forearms, and shoulders, for instance — although this isn’t as common.
So, how can you tell the difference between intermittent claudication and regular leg cramps? Well, it can be a little tricky. As the Mayo Clinic explains, usually intermittent claudication goes away when you rest (hence, the intermittent part of its name). However, if you don’t properly address claudication, that pain might still be present even if you stop walking or working out. The bottom line is if you’re experiencing intermittent pain in your legs or pain that won’t go away, you might want to contact your health care professional.