For a patient with intermittent claudication, when is certification disqualified?

For a patient with intermittent claudication, certification is disqualified when pain occurs at rest. Intermittent claudication refers to pain or cramping in the legs or buttocks triggered by physical activity, particularly walking, due to inadequate blood flow. This symptom typically resolves with rest.

The presence of pain at rest indicates more severe peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and signifies that the patient's condition is unstable. Such a situation poses significant risks for activities that require exertion, especially in environments where falls or sudden incapacitation could endanger the patient or others, such as operating a commercial vehicle.

While pain during exercise is characteristic of intermittent claudication and does not itself warrant disqualification, episodes being frequent or associated with fatigue might indicate worsening symptoms or limitations, but they do not define the critical threshold of safety as effectively as resting pain does.