Abstract

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common chronic cardiovascular condition that affects the lower extremities and can substantially limit daily activities and quality of life. Lifestyle interventions, including smoking cessation, diet modification, regular physical activity, and pharmacotherapy, are often prescribed to treat patients with PAD. Exercise interventions can be effective in increasing claudication onset time and maximal walking distance. Of the various types of exercise interventions available for patients with PAD, little is known about the differences that may exist between men and women in patient response to such interventions. The purpose of this literature review is to examine the current knowledge of exercise interventions for individuals with mild (Fontaine stages I-II) PAD and to consider any differences that may exist between men and women. Women with PAD present with a different clinical profile compared with men, but respond similarly to an acute bout of exercise and a training program. Patients with PAD should be encouraged to walk regularly; however, more research is needed to determine differences between men and women in their response to various exercise interventions.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Brenner I, Parry M, Brown CA

Institution

Trent University, Trent/Fleming School of Nursing, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. ibrenner@trentu.ca

Source

The Physician and sportsmedicine 40:2 2012 May pg 41-55

MeSH

Adaptation, Physiological
Exercise Therapy
Humans
Intermittent Claudication
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Sex Factors
Walking

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Review

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22759605