Final answer:
Reliable calf pain during walking can be a sign of peripheral artery disease (PAD), which occurs due to narrowing of the arteries from atherosclerosis. Other symptoms can include leg pain that improves with rest, skin ulcers, and changes in skin color. Diagnosis usually involves blood pressure comparisons between the ankle and arm.
Step-by-step explanation:
Calf pain brought on reliably by walking is indeed a red flag for peripheral artery disease (PAD). PAD is caused by the narrowing of peripheral arteries due to atherosclerosis, typically in the legs, and is associated with symptoms such as intermittent pain when walking, known as intermittent claudication. This pain usually resolves with rest. The condition can lead to more serious complications like heart attack or stroke if the underlying atherosclerosis is not treated.
Key risk factors for PAD include smoking, diabetes, high blood pressure, and high blood cholesterol. The classic symptom of this disease is leg pain which generally improves with rest. Figure 17.7.7 illustrates how plaque accumulation in the leg arteries can lead to decreased blood flow and the resultant symptoms. PAD is usually diagnosed by comparing blood pressure readings at the ankle with those at the upper arm.