system
Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
A 49-year-old man presents to a physician with the complaint of pain in the thigh after walking. He says that he is an office clerk with a sedentary lifestyle and usually drives to his office. On 2 occasions last month he had to walk to his office, which is less than a quarter of a mile from his home. On both occasions, soon after walking, he experienced pain in the right thigh which subsided spontaneously within a few minutes. His past medical history is negative for hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, or ischemic heart disease. He is a non-smoker and non-alcoholic. His father has ischemic heart disease. His physical examination is within normal limits, and the peripheral pulses are palpable in all extremities. His detailed diagnostic evaluation, including magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA) and exercise treadmill ankle-brachial index (ABI) testing, suggests a diagnosis of peripheral vascular disease due to atherosclerosis of the right iliac artery. Which of the following is the best initial treatment option?
assistant
Exercise therapy