What condition is indicated by calf pain that occurs during walking and subsides with rest?

The condition characterized by calf pain that occurs during walking and subsides with rest is indicative of peripheral artery disease (PAD). This condition arises due to a narrowing or blockage of the arteries, often caused by atherosclerosis, which reduces blood flow to the limbs, particularly during physical activities like walking. The pain, often referred to as claudication, typically occurs in the muscles of the legs when they are not receiving adequate blood supply, and it is relieved shortly after resting when blood flow can improve.

In contrast, acute arterial occlusion presents with sudden onset of severe pain and is a medical emergency. Deep vein thrombosis primarily involves swelling and persistent pain, often not alleviated by rest, whereas chronic venous insufficiency is characterized by symptoms such as swelling and skin changes that worsen with prolonged standing and improve when legs are elevated. These distinctions underline why peripheral artery disease is the correct diagnosis for the described symptoms of intermittent claudication.