Exercise has been used in the treatment of many medical conditions, including heart and lung diseases. But it can also play an important role in treating peripheral artery disease. Our latest review shows that for people with peripheral artery disease, exercise programs may help improve walking ability and quality of life by relieving symptoms of leg pain, cramps, and fatigue that some people experience. Peripheral artery disease is a common type of cardiovascular disease, which affects 236 million people across the world. It happens when the arteries in the legs and feet become clogged with fatty plaques through a process known as atherosclerosis. While some people with this disease experience no symptoms, the most classic symptoms are pain, cramps, numbness, weakness, or tingling that occurs in the legs during walking—known as intermittent claudication. These problems affect around 30 percent of people with peripheral artery disease. Intermittent claudication is more common in adults over 50, men, and people who smoke. Currently, peripheral …