What complaint would a patient with claudication most likely report?

A patient experiencing claudication typically reports cramping pain in the calf during exercise, particularly after walking a certain distance. This symptom arises because of reduced blood flow to the leg muscles due to peripheral artery disease (PAD). As the muscles demand more oxygen during physical activity, the narrowed arteries cannot supply sufficient blood, leading to pain and discomfort.

In contrast, pain in the thigh during rest may indicate different issues, such as neuropathy or other conditions unrelated to claudication. Pain while lying down is not characteristic of claudication; instead, it may suggest conditions like restless leg syndrome or radiculopathy. Severe headaches during exertion do not relate to claudication and are more indicative of cardiovascular or neurological issues, rather than peripheral vascular conditions. This context emphasizes that the characteristic symptom of claudication is indeed that cramping pain in the calf with exercise.