CaRi-heart technology
Revolutionary new technology to assess the risk of a serious heart condition or heart attack – many years before anything happens.
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
- No.1 in the UK for private cardiac care
- Appointments in as little as 24 hours
- 99% of our cardiac patients would recommend us to friends and family
Jump to
Peripheral arterial disease at HCA UK
Why choose us
We’re No.1 in the UK for private cardiac care. That means our cardiology teams care for more than 26,000 patients every year – more than any other private healthcare provider. And of those patients, 99% would happily recommend HCA UK to their friends and family.
With access to more than 235 consultants, you’ll be looked after by leading specialists in every aspect of cardiovascular care, supported by multidisciplinary teams including clinical nurse specialists, physiologists, radiographers and more. That means fully personalised care, tailored to your specific needs.
Peripheral arterial disease is a common condition in which fatty deposits in the arteries can reduce blood flow to the lower limbs, sometimes leading to pain or discomfort. It's the most common type of peripheral vascular disease and specifically affects the arteries in your arms and legs.
If you're experiencing symptoms, we're here to help with fast access to tests and expert care to guide you towards the right treatment.
Call 999 if one or both of your legs suddenly become cold, painful or pale with a weak or unidentifiable pulse or if any other symptoms get worse quickly.
Peripheral arterial disease is more common than many people realise, and many people don't experience any symptoms at all. However, pain or discomfort in your legs when walking can be an early sign of peripheral arterial disease, so getting checked early can help you stay active and well. Other symptoms include:
- Numbness or weakness in the legs
- Hair loss on the feet and legs
- Shrinking of the leg muscles
- Brittle toenails
- Open sores which do not heal on the feet and legs
- Changes to the colour of the skin on the legs
- Frequent skin infections
- Shiny skin on the legs
- A weak pulse in the legs or feet
- Painful cramping after physical activity
- Coldness in the lower leg or foot
- Erectile dysfunction
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, it's important that you see a GP so they can carry out some tests. Peripheral arterial disease symptoms may be an indication of other cardiovascular diseases, so getting a diagnosis swiftly can help you get the right treatment.
Peripheral arterial disease occurs when fatty, cholesterol-containing plaque builds up in the arteries and reduces blood flow to your legs. While the condition can become more serious over time, early diagnosis and treatment can help you maintain an active lifestyle.
Other, less common causes include:
- Exposure to radiation
- Blood vessel inflammation
If you have any concerns, get in touch for an appointment in as little as 24 hours.
There are several factors that can increase your risk of developing peripheral arterial disease and cardiovascular disease, but early awareness and healthy lifestyle changes can help reduce that risk.
One in five people aged 55-75 is estimated to have some form of peripheral arterial disease, but with the right treatment, many continue to live a normal life. You may be at a higher risk if you have any of the following:
- Smoking or using tobacco products
- Having high blood pressure
- Having high cholesterol
- Having diabetes
- Being of Afro-Caribbean descent
- Having a family history of cardiovascular disease
- Obesity
- Having kidney disease
- Having a blood clotting disorder
If you have any concerns, please arrange an appointment with one of our peripheral arterial disease specialists. Simple lifestyle changes and treatments can help improve your heart and circulation.
36,000
cardiac patients treated each year
200+
cardiac consultants to choose from
99%
success rate across all cardiac surgery
Next-day appointments
See a specialist and get on the path to an expert diagnosis in as little as 24 hours.
State-of-the-art diagnostics
With results in as little as 48 hours.*
Wide-reaching expertise across the UK
Visit any one of 15 dedicated diagnostic centres in London, Manchester and Birmingham.
Worried about your heart, but not sure what to do?
Get in touch and book a same or next-day GP appointment.
Have a referral and need to book?
Simply book a test, scan or treatment directly today.
Unsure of a diagnosis and need some answers?
Talk to a cardiologist and get the answers you've been looking for.
Cardiac tests and scans at HCA UK
Expert diagnosis, fast results
If you're experiencing symptoms or are worried you might be at risk of peripheral arterial disease, we can help. Our imaging experts have access to the latest state-of-the-art diagnostic technology, meaning you receive a fast, accurate diagnosis, often in as little as 48 hours, and a fast-track to the treatment you need.
These tests include:
- CT angiogram
- Ankle-brachial index (ABI)
- Doppler ultrasound scan
- Magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA)
- Treadmill exercise test
- Photoplethysmography (PPG)
Cardiac treatments at HCA UK
Our leading heart specialists see more cardiac patients than any other private healthcare provider in the UK, with a 99% success rate across all cardiac surgery. You'll have access to their experience and expertise, along with support from a whole team of medical experts.
So if you're diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease, we can provide dedicated and fully personalised care to help you monitor and manage the condition. From recommending lifestyle changes to medications and post-operative care, we're here to help every step of the way.
Our treatments include:
- ACE inhibitors to lower high blood pressure
- Blood thinning medicines to reduce blood clots
- Cholesterol-lowering medications
- Diabetes medication to manage blood sugar levels
- Vascular angioplasty
- Artery bypass graft
- Stent surgery
Accessing private health care
Self-pay
You don’t need health insurance to be seen quickly. If you’re looking for a diagnosis or treatment and don’t want to wait, all our private healthcare services – from private GP appointments through to surgery and aftercare – can be paid for as and when you need them.
And to give you peace of mind from the start, we’ll offer you a clear and transparent quote outlining exactly what’s included in your self-pay package.
Peripheral arterial disease FAQs
While peripheral arterial disease is not immediately life-threatening, the process of atherosclerosis can cause serious or potentially fatal complications. If blood flow to the heart's muscles is limited, it can result in chest pain, also known as angina.
Other complications can include critical limb ischaemia, which can become serious if left untreated. Symptoms of this can include:
- Wounds or open sores on your legs or feet that do not heal
- Severe burning sensation in your legs and feet that does not subside even when resting
- Loss of muscle mass in your legs
- Skin turning pale, smooth and dry
- Gangrene
Although they are not caused by peripheral arterial disease, coronary heart disease and stroke are closely associated.
There are five stages of peripheral arterial disease, each with different symptoms:
- Asymptomatic: People may have peripheral arterial disease and not experience any symptoms associated with the condition.
- Mild claudication: Feeling discomfort or mild pain in the legs when walking or exercising, which typically goes away after rest.
- Moderate to severe claudication: Increased pain in the lower limbs, which may become more severe over time.
- Ischaemic rest pain: Symptoms of peripheral arterial disease producing pain in the legs even when resting or during the night.
- Ulcers or gangrene: Skin sores may appear due to a lack of blood reaching the body's extremities.
Making lifestyle changes is one of the first steps to take when it comes to treating peripheral arterial disease, as this helps reduce the risk of complications and alleviates pain. Changes to consider include:
- Stop smoking or using tobacco products
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a balanced diet
- Combat your stress levels
- Better managing other health conditions, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol
Peripheral arterial disease is a form of peripheral vascular disease, which is a term for conditions that affect how the blood flows around the body in both veins and arteries. Peripheral vascular disease can lead to reduced blood flow in areas such as the brain, arms, legs and intestines. The most common causes of peripheral vascular disease are fatty plaque deposits within the veins and arteries, blood clots, diabetes and vasculitis.
While peripheral vascular disease refers to any circulatory disorder affecting blood vessels outside of the heart, peripheral artery disease specifically refers to arterial issues, usually in the lower limbs.
We offer a range of treatments for peripheral artery disease, including surgical procedures. These include:
Vascular angioplasty
Vascular angioplasty is a minimally invasive procedure that we can use to open narrowed or blocked blood vessels, typically arteries, to improve blood flow. During the procedure, your surgeon will insert a thin catheter with a small balloon at its tip into your artery and then guide it to the site of the narrowing. They’ll then inflate the balloon to widen the vessel, allowing for better circulation. In some cases, a stent may be placed to keep the artery open. Angioplasty is commonly used to treat conditions such as peripheral artery disease (PAD) and coronary artery disease (CAD), reducing symptoms like pain and improving overall vascular health.
Artery bypass graft
This procedure is used to reduce pain, prevent tissue damage and lower the risk of serious complications including heart attack or the need for limb amputation. During an artery bypass your consultant will restore circulation using a healthy blood vessel (typically taken from your leg, arm, or chest) to redirect your blood flow around a blocked or narrowed artery. As well as treating severe cases of peripheral artery disease, this procedure can be used to treat coronary artery disease, where angioplasty alone may not be sufficient.
Stent surgery
Often carried out alongside angioplasty, stent surgery is a procedure during which your consultant will place a stent – a small mesh tube – inside your artery to keep it open and maintain healthy blood flow. As well as peripheral artery disease, this treatment is often used to treat coronary artery disease and carotid artery disease and can help to prevent serious complications such as heart attack or stroke.
Your consultant will help you weigh up the potential risks and benefits of surgery for peripheral arterial disease to help you make an informed decision.
If you experience any of the below after your procedure, contact your healthcare provider or 999 immediately:
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Pain in a specific part of your body
The most effective way to prevent peripheral arterial disease is to maintain a healthy lifestyle. This includes:
- Not smoking or using tobacco products
- Eating foods that are low in saturated fat
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Controlling blood sugar with a low-sugar diet
- Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables
- Getting regular exercise that is best suited to you and your condition
You’ll be able to have expert treatment at a range of locations in London and Birmingham. These include:
Patient stories
Michael's story: Aortic aneurysm, how complex is it?
75-year-old Michael from Yorkshire received a reminder from his GP that people over 65 should undergo routine screening for aneurysms. "I didn’t really pay attention to it at first," he remembers, "because I was already ten years past the age they said you should start. I also didn’t have any worries or concerns about my health."
Treating Helaina's heart rhythm disorder
Helaina from Northamptonshire was just 16 when she began experiencing unusual symptoms, including shortness of breath and heart palpitations, which rapidly worsened. She was otherwise fit, healthy and a huge lover of the great outdoors, leading to her family to grow concerned.
How a valve replacement helped Steve breathe easy again
When Steve found out his breathlessness was caused by a narrowed aortic valve, he was terrified of the thought of the open-heart surgery that might be needed to treat it. But with the expertise of Professor Sagar Doshi at The Harborne Hospital, he learned he could have a ‘keyhole’ alternative called TAVI.
“Mr Abisi and his team were incredible. I was nervous about the procedure, but they explained everything to me, and made me feel very comfortable.”
Reviewed by
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.