Which term describes pain in the legs that is relieved by rest?

Which term describes pain in the legs that is relieved by rest?

• A. Heart attack
• B. Ballooning of arterial walls due to weakness
• C. Pain in the legs relieved by rest
• D. Difficulty breathing while lying down

Answer: (C)

Pain in the legs that appears with activity and goes away with rest is intermittent claudication, a classic symptom of peripheral artery disease. When you walk, your leg muscles need more blood, but narrowed or blocked arteries can’t supply enough oxygen, causing cramping or aching. Rest reduces the demand for blood, so the pain eases. The other options point to different problems: a heart attack is chest pain from heart muscle ischemia, an aneurysm is ballooning of an arterial wall, and orthopnea is difficulty breathing when lying down due to heart failure. So the term that best describes leg pain relieved by rest is intermittent claudication. If pain occurs at rest or is severe, that suggests more advanced limb ischemia and warrants prompt evaluation.

Pain in the legs that appears with activity and goes away with rest is intermittent claudication, a classic symptom of peripheral artery disease. When you walk, your leg muscles need more blood, but narrowed or blocked arteries can’t supply enough oxygen, causing cramping or aching. Rest reduces the demand for blood, so the pain eases. The other options point to different problems: a heart attack is chest pain from heart muscle ischemia, an aneurysm is ballooning of an arterial wall, and orthopnea is difficulty breathing when lying down due to heart failure. So the term that best describes leg pain relieved by rest is intermittent claudication. If pain occurs at rest or is severe, that suggests more advanced limb ischemia and warrants prompt evaluation.