This study adds to knowledge that cardiac rehabilitation programmes for patients with intermittent claudication increase walking distance, health related quality of life, physical activity, and healthy diet. Based on this study, recommendations for a specialised rehabilitation programme for patients with intermittent claudication include supervised exercise training as an interdisciplinary intervention in a local community setting with physiotherapists, a specialist vascular nurse, and dietician; a pedometer as a strong motivational tool for patients to increase daily walking; follow up training after 12 weeks and cross sector coordination by vascular nurse; and patient access to a telephone number.Objective: To examine whether a cardiac rehabilitation programme in a community based setting for patients with intermittent claudication (IC) affects walking ability, quality of life, and changes in health behaviour. The trial investigated a cross sector cardiovascular rehabilitation programme compared with usual care for patients having non-operative management. Methods: The trial allocated 118 patients, with 1:1 individual randomisation to either an intervention or control group. Data were collected at a department of vascular surgery and at a healthcare centre in Denmark. The rehabilitation intervention consisted of usual care plus 12 weeks of exercise training, pedometer, health education, and text messages. The primary outcome was maximum walking distance at six months measured by treadmill walking test. The secondary outcomes were maximum walking distance at 12 months and pain free walking distance measured by treadmill walking test, healthy diet, level of physical activity, and quality of life (QoL) at six and 12 months. Results: In the intervention group, 46 participants were analysed, with 47 in the control group. Following three months of rehabilitation, a 37% difference (95% CI 1.10 e 1.70; p ¼ .005) was found between groups in maximum walking distance at six and 12 months, in favour of the intervention group. The same positive effect was found in physical activity, QoL, and healthy diet, but was not statistically significant in pain free walking distance and smoking. Conclusion: A specialised community based cardiac rehabilitation programme for patients with IC showed statistically and clinically significant effects on maximum walking distance, physical activity, quality of life, and healthy diet, but not on pain free walking distance and smoking, compared with usual care without rehabilitation.