A 67-year-old patient states that he recently began to have pain in his left calf when climbing the 10 stairs to his apartment. This pain is relieved by sitting for "a couple of minutes"; then he is able to resume his activities. What do these symptoms suggest?

A) Claudication
B) Sore muscles
C) Muscle cramps
D) Venous insufficiency

Intermittent claudication feels like a cramp and is usually relieved by rest within 2 minutes. The other responses are not correct. Sore muscles and muscle cramps do not usually occur while performing an activity, but afterwards, and are not relieved by resting for a couple of minutes. Venous insufficiency does not cause pain with walking or exercise that is relieved by rest, but rather presents with edema, thickened skin, and brown discoloration in lower legs. The symptoms this patient described suggest intermittent claudication.