Exercise and nursing therapy for patients with intermittent claudication

Intermittent claudication is a common manifestation of arterial disease in the second half of life. Invasive treatments may; be inappropriate or unsuc cessful, leaving patients with a significant handicap. Nursing intervention can improve the functional ability and the general well-being of many pati ents. This paper provides an account of the development of an out-patient nursing service for patients with intermittent claudication. It focuses on the exe rcise training and the psychological support given to patients. A review of the first 102 claudicants referred to the programme shows the o utcome for the patients in terms of improved walking ability. The details of the nursing intervention reported in the paper should help t he growing number of nurses starting similar programmes for vascular patien ts. They may also be of interest to nurses caring for patients with other c hronic health problems.