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Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is a majormanifestation of systemic atherosclerosis. A closeassociation between PAD and diabetes mellitus has long been recognised. Substantial morbidity results from PAD-related intermittent claudication, ulceration and critical limb ischaemia, culminating for some patients in limb loss or death. While effective lifestyle and pharmacological treatments are available for intermittent claudication these approaches are widely underutilised. Surgical intervention is indicated in relatively few patients with stable intermittent claudication. However, the high risk of premature death from the consequences of generalised atherosclerosis, notably coronary heart disease, mandates identification and treatment of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Sub-optimal management of cardiovascular risk i