Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) narrows and closes the main vessels supplying blood to the lower limbs. A typical symptom of PAD is intermittent claudication. Physical activity-induced muscle pain is associated with transient ischaemia and leads to decreased physical activity of the patient.

Current guidelines for the treatment of atherosclerotic ischaemia are based primarily on the TASC II guidelines (Inter Society Consensus for the Management of Peripheral Arterial Disease). Treatment of patients with intermittent claudication is mainly a conservative therapy aimed at reducing the risk of cardiovascular complications and improving the quality of life by easing and thereby lengthening the claudication distance. Rehabilitation includes: supervised walk training on the treadmill and cycle ergometer training, lower limb muscle resistance exercises, upper limb exercises, and physical therapy.

Education of patients with PAD should be conducted not only by angiologists or vascular surgeons but also by physiotherapists and nurses.