New exerciser and calf pain

I'm a 48 year old new exerciser -- female, sedentary, about 40 lbs. overweight.  I had a blocked coronary artery that was stented a couple of months ago.  When I walk, after about 5 minutes my calf muscles burn/hurt so bad!  I rate the pain about a 7 on a 0-10 scale.  The doctor only has me walking for 20 minutes a day, and the pain is so bad I thank God when the time is up!  I used to walk 2 miles a day and never had pain like this in my calves.  Is this normal for a new exerciser?  Should it go away as I get in better shape?  I've tried stretching my calves before walking, but it doesn't seem to help.  If I knew if it was a normal "breaking in" process I'd feel much better.  I worry it might be peripheral artery disease.  Any thoughts?

[Raven05]

I've had a lot of experience in exercising, and I had a first time too. Do you stretch enough before and after your walk? Do you hold the stretch for a good 30 seconds? Also, don't just stretch your calves. Stretch your hamstrings and quads as well. All these work together and if there not good and stretched they can cause tension on each other. Also, how are your shoes? Are they a good pair of running shoes that are broke in. Sometimes your shoes can play a big effect. The way you walk can be a big issue as well. No sudden stops or jerking. Make sure all you movements are smooth. Never the less, always do a warm up before doing any workout. Stretch and do a few jumping jacks, just to get your body going. Try some of these ideas and see how they work. Be careful though, if you strained a muscle in your calf don't work it too hard! You may want to lay off the walking for a bit and slightly stretch it every night. Then work back up to what your accustom to. Good Luck and congratulations on joining the world of exercise!!!!

[babes_mom]

I don't stretch much, if any, before I walk.  I will try to remember to stretch before -- and more than just a 10 second stretch for each calf!  Someone else mentioned shoes and told me about a store where they'll watch you walk and see that you get appropriate orthotics, if you need them.  I may check into that, as well.  I'm not quitting, even though the pain is sometimes almost unbearable.  I just hope it get better the longer I continue to walk.

Thanks!

[anxiousmomtobe?]

Water is essential too, being even slightly dehydrated can lead to muscle pains.