Vascular Condition
Peripheral Arterial Disease
Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) occurs when atherosclerosis — the build-up of fatty deposits — narrows the arteries that supply blood to the legs. Reduced blood flow causes pain, weakness, and in advanced cases, tissue death. PAD is also a marker for cardiovascular disease elsewhere in the body, making specialist assessment and treatment important.
Symptoms
- Cramping pain in the leg muscles during walking that settles with rest (claudication)
- Coldness or pallor in the lower leg or foot
- Weak or absent pulses in the foot
- Slow-healing wounds on the feet or legs
- Rest pain — pain in the foot at night, relieved by hanging the leg down
- Blackening or ulceration of toes
Causes & Risk Factors
- Atherosclerosis (build-up of cholesterol plaques in arteries)
- Smoking — the single most important risk factor
- Diabetes mellitus
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Age over 50 years
Treatment
Treatment includes risk factor modification, supervised exercise therapy, antiplatelet medication, and when appropriate, revascularisation. Endovascular treatments such as angioplasty and stenting restore blood flow with minimal recovery time.
Recovery & Aftercare
Endovascular procedures typically allow same-day or next-day discharge. Long-term management focuses on ongoing risk factor control and surveillance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Claudication is the main symptom of PAD — leg muscle pain during exercise caused by inadequate blood supply.
PAD cannot be cured but can be effectively managed. Lifestyle changes and treatment significantly reduce symptoms and the risk of serious complications.
When to Seek Medical Advice
- Leg pain during walking that limits your daily activities
- Pain in the foot at rest, especially at night
- Non-healing wounds on the leg or foot
- Sudden severe pain, coldness, or pallor in a limb (acute limb ischaemia — emergency)