What Causes Leg Cramps After Walking For Short Distance?

Posted on Sun, 26 Apr 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 26 Apr 2015 Answered on

Mon, 18 May 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : get bad leg cramps or pain after walking relatively short distances. Sometimes even if I stand too long.

Answered by Dr. Grzegorz Stanko (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Atherosclerosis can be the reason.

Detailed Answer:
Hello!

Thank you for the query.

Such symptom is quite characteristic for poor blood flow through legs arteries. It is called atherosclerosis. Due to high cholesterol level arteries gets narrow. When you try to walk, blood supply is not enough so the muscles do not get proper oxygen. This leads to a pain.
If you do smoke, Burger s disease is also possible.

I suggest you to consult your doctor. Arteries Dopplers ultrasound should be done to rule this condition out.

Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar