Peripheral Artery Disease

Overview

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) is a common circulatory condition in which narrowed or blocked arteries restrict blood flow to the limbs, usually the legs. Because the same atherosclerotic process can affect vessels supplying the brain, PAD is a powerful warning sign of wider cardiovascular disease — people with PAD have a greater risk of suffering a stroke, coronary artery disease or heart attack. Early diagnosis and treatment at Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital can relieve leg pain, restore mobility, and dramatically reduce these life-threatening complications.

Causes of Peripheral Artery Disease

PAD is usually caused by atherosclerosis, a build-up of fatty deposits on artery walls. Contributing factors include:

• Smoking
• Diabetes
• High blood-pressure (hypertension)
• High cholesterol
• Obesity
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Family history of cardiovascular disease

Symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease

Early PAD may have no symptoms. When they do occur, they can include:

• Leg pain or cramping when walking (intermittent claudication)
• Pain that improves with rest
• Coldness in the lower leg or foot
• Slow-healing sores or ulcers on the feet/legs
• Shiny skin, hair loss or weak pulse in the legs
• In severe cases, pain at rest (critical-limb ischaemia)

Diagnosis

Our vascular specialists use:

• Physical examination (checking pulses, skin temperature)
• Ankle–brachial pressure index (ABPI)
• Doppler ultrasound to visualise blood flow
• CT or MR angiography for detailed vessel imaging when required

Treatment & Management

Lifestyle changes

• Smoking cessation
• Structured exercise programme
• Healthy diet and weight control

Medications

• Cholesterol-lowering and blood-pressure drugs
• Antiplatelet therapy to reduce clot risk
• Medication to ease claudication pain

Minimally-invasive & surgical options

• Angioplasty and stenting
• Bypass surgery for extensive blockage

Why Choose Royal Buckinghamshire Hospital?

• Vascular consultants
• On-site diagnostics for fast assessment
• Personalised treatment and lifestyle management plans
• Multidisciplinary team approach, including links to specialist stroke rehabilitation services if needed
• Private, patient-centred care with minimal waits

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