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Peripheral arterial disease (PAD)
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a common condition that occurs when fatty deposits within the arteries restrict blood flow in the lower limbs, often causing pain or discomfort.
If you are experiencing symptoms of PAD, we can offer you rapid access to tests to diagnose this condition and help you find the right treatment.
- You can have an appointment with a PAD specialist confirmed within 24 hours
- We care for over 26,000 cardiovascular patients each year
- #1 private provider for vascular care with more patients trusting us for their care than anywhere else
What are the symptoms of peripheral artery disease?
Many people who have PAD may not have any symptoms. However, over time, people may begin to develop pain or discomfort in their legs when they walk. This could be an early sign of PAD. Other symptoms of PAD 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 certain activities, such as walking or climbing stairs
- Coldness in the lower leg or foot
- Erectile dysfunction
When to see a doctor
If you are experiencing any of the above symptoms, it's important that you contact your GP so they can conduct further testing.
PAD symptoms may be an indication of other cardiovascular diseases, so getting a diagnosis swiftly can help you get the right treatment.
We offer a private GP service with same-day appointments available. Alternatively, you can book an appointment with one of our specialist vascular consultants which we will confirm within 24 hours.
When to call emergency services
Peripheral artery disease can have serious symptoms and complications. Call 999 if one or both of your legs suddenly becomes cold, painful or pale with a weak or unidentifiable pulse or if any other symptoms get worse quickly.
#1 in the UK for private PAD treatment
- Rated No. 1 for cardiovascular care: We are proud to have provided care for more than 79,000 cardiovascular patients in the three years from 2021 to 2023, and 99% have said they would recommend HCA UK to their friends and family.
- Leading consultants: Our team of over 235 cardiovascular consultants are supported by a range of multi-disciplinary teams to ensure you get the best possible care across our network of hospitals.
- Rapid access to tests: We'll confirm your appointment with a peripheral artery disease specialist within 24 hours. Should you require further testing, we will get the results back to you within two business days.
- Treatment tailored to you: Following your diagnosis, our consultants will recommend the most effective treatment options for your condition, and you will be supported before, during and after your treatment for PAD.
- State-of-the-art technology and facilities: We have a network of five cardiac centres and 15 outpatient and diagnostic facilities, where our specialists will treat your peripheral artery disease using the latest medical technology and the highest standards of care.
What is peripheral arterial disease?
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is the most common type of peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and specifically affects the arteries in your arms and legs.
Narrowing of arteries (atherosclerosis) or blockages within them reduce the amount of blood that can reach the legs and as a result people often feel pain in their legs when walking (claudication) and other symptoms.
Stages of peripheral arterial disease
There are five stages of PAD, each with a varying severity of symptoms.
- Asymptomatic: People may have PAD but 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 PAD 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.
PAD vs PVD
In essence, PAD is a form of PVD. Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a term for conditions that affect how the blood flows around the body in both veins and arteries. PVD can lead to reduced blood flow in areas such as the brain, arms, legs and intestines. The most common causes of PVD are fatty plaque deposits within the veins and arteries, blood clots, diabetes and vasculitis.
While PVD refers to any circulatory disorder affecting blood vessels outside of the heart, peripheral artery disease (PAD) specifically refers to arterial issues, usually in the lower limbs.
Causes of peripheral artery disease
The narrowing of arteries is often caused by fatty, cholesterol-containing plaque that builds up on artery walls and restricts blood flow. As the plaque continues to build, the artery may eventually become blocked. When this occurs in the arteries supplying blood to the legs, it causes peripheral arterial disease.
Other, less common causes of PAD include:
- Exposure to radiation
- Blood vessel inflammation
What are the risk factors for peripheral arterial disease?
Several factors can significantly increase the risk of developing PAD and other forms of cardiovascular disease (CVD).
One in five people aged 55-75 are estimated to have some degree of PAD. No matter your age, you are more likely to develop peripheral arterial disease if the following applies:
- 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
Complications of peripheral arterial disease
While peripheral artery 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 (angina).
Critical limb ischaemia (CLI)
When blood flow to the lower limbs becomes restricted, it can cause serious complications that can prove to be challenging to treat. Symptoms of critical limb ischaemia 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
In the most severe cases, an amputation below the knee may be required if the symptoms of CLI are not addressed immediately.
Associated conditions
Certain conditions are closely associated with (but not caused by) PAD. If you have PAD, you may be at higher risk of:
Coronary artery disease (CAD)
CAD is essentially the same condition as PAD, although it affects the blood vessels that directly serve the heart. Left untreated, CAD can result in the heart muscles being depleted of oxygen and an individual having a heart attack.
Stroke
Narrowed or blocked arteries and veins increase the risk of blood clots forming. If a blood clot becomes loose and travels to the brain, it can limit the supply of oxygen and result in a stroke.
How is peripheral artery disease diagnosed?
If your GP suspects that you may have PAD, the first thing they will do is carry out a physical examination and review your medical history.
During the physical examination, your doctor will look for symptoms such as brittle toenails, shiny skin, or a loss of hair on the feet or legs. A weak pulse in your legs, ulcers forming and pain in the limbs are other indicators.
If your assessment suggests symptoms of PAD, your consultant can conduct a series of tests to determine the severity of your peripheral artery disease and how best to proceed with treatment.
These non-invasive tests will help to ascertain if you have a blockage in your arteries:
- Ankle brachial pressure index: This test is widely used to diagnose PAD. During the test, your consultant measures the blood pressure in both your upper arm and your ankle. If your circulation is healthy, the readings should be the same in both parts of your body. If the pressure in your ankle is lower, this suggests a reduction in blood supply and a case of PAD.
- Vascular ultrasound: This test is used to evaluate blood flow in the arteries in the arms, neck and legs, and can help to diagnose PAD and blood clots.
Should you require further testing, you may need a test to locate artery blockages:
- Angiogram: This procedure can show how well your blood is flowing around the body and highlight any areas where there could be potential blockages. A dye is injected and will show up clearly on an X-ray to produce a detailed image of your arteries.
Treatment options for peripheral artery disease
Making lifestyle changes is one of the first places to start when it comes to treating PAD as this helps reduce the risk of complications and alleviates pain.
- Stop smoking or using tobacco products: Smoking dramatically increases your chance of developing PAD. Compared to non-smokers, people who have PAD and smoke or use tobacco products are more likely to die of heart attack or stroke.
- Exercise regularly: Walking is one of the best ways to combat the symptoms of PAD. It's recommended that you build up the amount you walk in slow increments, resting each time that you feel pain in your legs before starting to walk again.
- Eat a balanced diet: Concentrate on eating foods that are high in fibre and low in saturated fat, sodium and cholesterol.
- Combat your stress levels: Practising yoga, meditation and exercising can help reduce your stress and improve your mental health.
- Other health conditions: Managing other health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol can help improve your symptoms of peripheral artery disease.
Medications can be used to treat the underlying causes of peripheral artery disease, and in turn help to reduce your risk of developing another form of cardiovascular disease.
- Statins: If blood test results show that you have high cholesterol, you could be prescribed statins to help reduce the production of 'bad cholesterol' by your liver.
- Antiplatelets: Medications such as aspirin or clopidogrel can help to prevent the body's ability to form blood clots within narrowed arteries.
- Antihypertensives: A group of medications used to treat high blood pressure.
- Naftidrofuryl oxalate: This medicine may be offered to you if you have leg pain from PAD that is triggered by exercise, as it can help to improve the blood flow in the body.
People with more severe PAD, where pain limits simple everyday activities, may be offered endovascular or surgical treatment to help restore blood flow in the legs. This is known as revascularisation.
There are two types of revascularisation procedure for the treatment of PAD:
- Angioplasty: This procedure is used to widen blocked or narrowed coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. A small balloon is inserted within the artery to allow blood to flow more freely.
- Artery bypass graft: A surgical procedure that involves taking a blood vessel from another part of the body, most commonly the chest or arm, and using it to bypass a blockage within an artery.
Risks associated with peripheral artery disease procedures
Your consultant will help you weigh up the potential risks and benefits of surgery for PAD to help you make an informed decision.
If you experience any of the below after your procedure, contact your healthcare provider or the emergency services immediately:
- Bleeding
- Bruising
- Pain in a specific part of your body
Find the most effective peripheral arterial disease treatment for you
If you require treatment for your PAD, our specialist consultations at HCA UK will assess your condition and make a recommendation for the most effective treatment or management plan for you.
We treat more cardiovascular patients than any other private provider, so you can be assured you will only receive treatment of the highest standards. Our wealth of experience treating peripheral artery disease means we deliver the best outcomes for people in our care.
What can you do to prevent PAD?
The most effective way to prevent symptoms of PAD and their severity 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
Find a peripheral arterial disease specialist
Our team have a wealth of experience in the diagnosis, treatment and management of peripheral artery disease (PAD).
You can use our consultant finder to browse our team's profiles and find a vascular specialist based on their patient ratings, expertise and experience.
Once you have found your preferred specialist, you'll be able to book an appointment with them directly.
How to pay for your peripheral artery disease treatment
There are two ways that you can pay for your treatment. You can opt to pay for your care privately or via your medical insurer.
If you decide to pay privately, we'll give you a quote so you'll have a clear picture of exactly how much your treatment will cost. If you have medical insurance, we would advise contacting your medical insurer to find out what conditions and treatments you're covered for.
Our peripheral arterial disease (PAD) locations
The Harborne Hospital
Mindelsohn Way B15 2FQ Birmingham
Request an appointment
If the symptoms of peripheral arterial disease are impacting your daily life or you want to get a better understanding of how you can manage your condition, our team are here to help.
You'll have an appointment confirmed within 24 hours with one of our specialist consultants who can help you take the first steps.
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.