Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common condition where narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs, usually your legs. It happens when fatty deposits build up in the arteries, causing them to become blocked or restricted. PAD is a type of cardiovascular disease and shares many risk factors with heart disease.

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It can be a warning sign that your heart and brain are also at risk of reduced blood flow.

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What are the symptoms of Peripheral Arterial Disease?

Not everyone with PAD has symptoms. But many people notice leg pain when walking. This is called intermittent claudication. It usually goes away after rest. Other signs may include:

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• Pain, cramping or tiredness in the legs or hips when walking

• Numbness or weakness in the legs

• Coldness in the lower leg or foot

• Sores on your feet or toes that won’t heal

• A change in the colour of your legs

• Hair loss or slow hair growth on legs and feet

• Weak pulse or no pulse in your legs or feet

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PAD symptoms often develop slowly. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications such as critical limb ischaemia.

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What increases my risk of Peripheral Arterial Disease?

 

A risk factor is something that increases the chance of getting a condition. The more you have, the higher your chance of CHD. Even if you can’t change all your risk factors, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk.

There are several risk factors for CHD, including:

• Smoking

• Stress 

• High blood cholesterol

• Being physically inactive

• Sex - Men are more likely to get CHD earlier than women

• Family history of heart disease

• High blood pressure

• Alcohol

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How is Peripheral Arterial Disease diagnosed?

 

Your doctor may ask about your symptoms and check your pulse in the legs or feet. They might recommend tests such as:

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• Ankle-Brachial Pressure Index (ABPI) – compares the blood pressure in your ankle with the pressure in your arm

• Ultrasound scan – to look at blood flow in the arteries

• Blood tests – to check for diabetes, cholesterol, and kidney function

• Angiogram or CT scan – to get a detailed picture of blood flow in the arteries

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What is the treatment for Peripheral Arterial Disease?

 

Treatment aims to improve blood flow, reduce symptoms, and lower your risk of serious complications like heart attack or stroke.

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Common treatment options include:

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• Lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking, regular exercise, and healthy eating

• Medication, including drugs to lower blood pressure, cholesterol and prevent blood clots

• Supervised exercise therapy – walking programmes to help improve symptoms

• Surgery, such as:

  • Angioplasty (to widen the artery)

  • Bypass surgery (to create a new route for blood flow)

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More information:

For more support and guidance on PAD, visit the British Heart Foundation or the NHS PAD page.