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Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
- No.1 in the UK for private vascular care
- Appointments in as little as 24 hours
- 99% of our cardiac patients would recommend us to friends and family
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Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) at HCA UK
Why choose us?
At HCA UK, you can rest assured you’ll be in the safest hands with the No.1 UK private provider for cardiovascular care. We treat more cardiac patients than any other UK private healthcare provider, with a 99% success rate across all cardiac surgery.
We’ll confirm an appointment with a vascular specialist within 24 hours, offering rapid access to the latest tests and exceptional care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
No wonder 99% of people we’ve treated say they would recommend us to friends and family.
Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a circulation disorder that affects the blood vessels outside of your heart, restricting blood flow and causing a variety of symptoms.
It can involve narrowing, blockage or spasm in any of the peripheral blood vessels, restricting blood supply to the legs, arms and vital organs.
The most common signs and symptoms of PVD include:
- Intermittent arm or leg pain during activity that goes away with rest
- Numbness, weakness or heaviness of the limbs
- Weak or slow pulse in an arm or leg
- Sensitivity to cold
- Cool, pale or shiny skin
- Bluish, slow-growing nails
- Sores that don't heal
- Muscle atrophy
These symptoms can also be associated with a range of other heart conditions, so it's important to see a doctor as soon as you can or call 111 if you’re experiencing any of them. We offer same-day or next-day GP appointments for peace of mind.
PVD can have serious symptoms and complications. If you suddenly develop a cold, painful, pale limb with a weak or unidentifiable pulse or if any other symptoms suddenly get worse, call 999 immediately or go to A&E.
If you’ve already seen a GP, you can request a referral from your GP or insurer to one of our cardiovascular specialists. We can confirm an appointment with a vascular consultant within 24 hours and provide you with same-day diagnostic tests.
PVD can have a number of different causes, the most common of which include:
- Atherosclerosis or plaque build-up inside the walls of the blood vessels
- Arterial and deep vein thrombosis, when blood clots form inside the blood vessels
- Diabetes, as high blood sugar levels can damage, narrow and weaken blood vessels over time
- Vasculitis, a group of conditions causing inflammation of the blood vessels
Other causes of peripheral vascular disease include injury to the arms or legs, irregular anatomy of muscles or ligaments, infection and structural defects to the blood vessels, acquired at birth.
There are a number of risk factors for peripheral vascular disease. You have a higher risk of developing PVD if you are:
- Over the age of 50
- Overweight
- Male
Other risk factors can include a family history of coronary heart disease, diabetes , high cholesterol or high blood pressure , as well as lifestyle factors such as not exercising regularly, smoking and using drugs.
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26,000+
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Fast access to diagnostic test results
Next-day appointments
See a specialist and get on the path to an expert diagnosis within 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 PVD?
Get in touch with 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 advice?
Talk to a vascular specialist and get the answers you’ve been looking for.
PVD tests and scans at HCA UK
A diagnosis you can trust
At HCA UK, you’ll have access to the UK’s most comprehensive private diagnostics network, with the latest tests and imaging scans, and results delivered in as little as 48 hours.
With access to leading specialists, you can rest assured you’ll be in the very best hands. If you have symptoms of PVD, we offer same-day access to the UK’s most comprehensive private cardiovascular diagnostics network, including:
- Angiogram
- Ankle-brachial index (ABI)
- Doppler scan
- Magnetic resonance angiogram (MRA)
- Treadmill exercise test
- Photoplethysmography (PPG)
Fast treatment for PVD at HCA UK
Choosing the best approach for you
Your consultant will recommend a range of lifestyle changes and treatment options to help you address your risk factors for PVD, manage symptoms and improve outcomes, including:
- Lifestyle changes to optimise exercise, sleep and weight
- Medications to manage blood pressure, circulation and clotting
- Medical procedures such as angioplasty or stenting to treat minor cases of PVD
At HCA UK, we see more cardiovascular patients than any other private healthcare provider. This unrivalled experience, coupled with our investment in state-of-the-art technology, helps us achieve better outcomes for each and every patient.
Don’t have a referral? Don’t worry.
Our private GPs can refer you to the right specialist for expert diagnosis. You can often get a same- or next-day appointment, so get in touch and see how we can help.
Accessing private healthcare
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 vascular disease FAQs
PVD can have serious symptoms and complications. If you suddenly develop a cold, painful, pale limb with a weak or unidentifiable pulse or if any other symptoms suddenly get worse, call 999 immediately or go to A&E.
There are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk factors for PVD. Your consultant will discuss the most relevant strategies for you:
- Lose weight
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid smoking and drugs
- Follow the advice of your consultant – including taking medications to manage diabetes, high cholesterol or high blood pressure.
The underlying cause of your condition determines what medications will be most effective. Medication is often an effective treatment for minor cases of PVD, including:
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, to lower high blood pressure
- Antiplatelet medicines like aspirin, clopidogrel or ticlopidine to reduce blood clotting
- Cilostazol or pentoxifylline, to improve blood flow and reduce leg pain caused by poor circulation
- Cholesterol-lowering medicines like atorvastatin, simvastatin or other statins
- Diabetes medication, to control blood sugar levels if you have diabetes
More significant cases of PVD may require a non-surgical medical procedure such as:
- Angioplasty to widen narrow or blocked arteries using a balloon.
- Stenting (small wire mesh tube) to hold open widened arteries.
If left untreated, PVD can lead to several complications, some of which are life-threatening. These include:
- Poor wound healing, especially on the legs and feet. With insufficient blood flow, the body struggles to build new tissue and fight off infection, leading to chronic ulcers that are slow to close or don't heal at all.
- Erectile dysfunction: In men, PVD can restrict blood flow to the penis, leading to difficulty achieving or maintaining an erection.
- Deep vein thrombosis, when a blood clot develops in a large vein in your leg, usually the calf or thigh.
- Critical limb ischemia (CLI): This serious complication arises when blood flow to a limb is severely restricted. It causes intense, persistent pain, even at rest, often described as burning or cramping. The skin may become pale, shiny, and cold, with sores that won't heal and possible gangrene (tissue death).
- Gangrene: In the most severe cases, tissue death (gangrene) can occur due to a lack of blood flow deprives tissues of oxygen and nutrients for an extended period. Gangrene can affect toes, feet, or even larger portions of the leg and may require amputation to prevent the spread of infection.
Cardiac Care Patient Stories
How a health kick revealed a serious heart condition
When the UK went into lockdown in March 2020, like millions of others, 56-year-old House Manager James took the opportunity to introduce some simple daily exercise into his busy work schedule. Little did he know that the changes would reveal a hidden heart condition, that would require a triple heart bypass to fix.
A simple heart screening revealed Mahmoud’s tumour
At 55, Mahmoud had never felt fitter. The orthodontist from northwest London enjoyed daily exercise classes and a range of sports. It was only when a relative was diagnosed with cardiovascular disease that his wife suggested he arrange a routine heart health check-up.
Designing a new heart
Using his experience in 3D printing for his architecture clients, David built a life-size model of his own heart and ribcage to help visualise and plan his endoscopic heart surgery with Mr Toufan Bahrami.
Just two months after undergoing heart surgery at The Harley Street Clinic, David, who is in his 70s, is looking forward to his forthcoming trip to Copenhagen, Stockholm and Gothenburg with his wife.
“Coming into hospital and having the procedure was such an efficient process… they all made me feel so relaxed ahead of my procedure. Everyone I met was incredibly impressive – I felt so well looked after.”
* Based on availability across all HCA UK facilities
This content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.