For symptoms mainly affecting one leg, such as calf pain, coldness, weak pulses or suspected narrowing on one side.
Private Arterial Doppler Scan London for leg artery blood flow
A private arterial Doppler ultrasound scan checks blood flow in the leg arteries and helps assess peripheral arterial disease, narrowing, blockages and claudication symptoms such as calf pain when walking.
For sudden severe leg pain, new loss of sensation, a cold pale foot or rapidly worsening symptoms, seek urgent medical help rather than booking a routine outpatient scan.
Private Arterial Doppler Scan London: this scan uses ultrasound and Doppler technology to assess blood flow through the arteries of one or both legs. It is commonly used when peripheral arterial disease, arterial narrowing, blockage, reduced circulation, cold feet, weak pulses or walking-related calf pain is suspected.
Choose your arterial Doppler scan
Select one limb for one-sided symptoms, two limbs for comparison, or add ABPI for a fuller circulation assessment.
Best for comparing both legs and quantifying circulation with ankle-brachial pressure index measurements.
For symptoms in both legs, side-to-side comparison, or a broader review of lower-limb arterial flow.
A one-limb Doppler scan with pressure measurement to help grade circulation and suspected PAD.
What an arterial Doppler can assess
The examination maps artery flow patterns and helps identify whether blood supply to the legs is reduced.
Peripheral arterial disease
Assesses reduced blood flow caused by atherosclerosis or narrowing in the leg arteries.
Narrowing or blockage
Doppler waveforms and flow velocities can suggest stenosis, occlusion or reduced downstream supply.
Claudication symptoms
Useful when calf, thigh or buttock pain occurs on walking and improves with rest.
Cold feet or weak pulses
Can help assess circulation when feet feel cold, numb, discoloured or pulses are difficult to feel.
Your appointment pathway
A structured scan pathway designed for patient clarity and useful onward care.
History check
We ask about symptoms, risk factors, previous vascular problems and whether one or both legs need assessment.
Doppler scan
Ultrasound gel and a probe are used to check artery flow in the selected leg or legs.
Optional ABPI
Arm and ankle blood pressures can be compared to help quantify leg circulation.
Written report
Your findings are explained and a written report is normally provided within 24 hours.
Symptoms and risk factors
This scan may be appropriate when circulation symptoms or vascular risk factors are present.
Leg pain on walking
Calf, thigh or buttock pain that improves with rest may suggest claudication.
Cold or numb feet
Persistent coldness, numbness or altered colour can be related to reduced circulation.
Slow-healing wounds
Leg or foot wounds that heal slowly may need arterial circulation assessment.
Diabetes or smoking
Diabetes, smoking, high cholesterol and high blood pressure can increase PAD risk.
Weak foot pulses
A clinician may suggest Doppler if pulses are reduced or difficult to feel.
Reassurance
A private scan can give timely information for your GP or vascular specialist.
Peripheral arterial disease severity — how we report it
ABPI adds pressure measurements to the ultrasound assessment. Doppler adds anatomical and flow information.
| Assessment element | What it helps show | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| ABPI | Compares ankle pressure with arm pressure. | Helps quantify circulation and supports PAD grading. |
| Doppler waveform | Shows whether the artery flow pattern is normal, damped or abnormal. | Can suggest significant upstream disease or reduced downstream flow. |
| Velocity measurements | Measures blood-flow speed through selected arterial segments. | High velocities can suggest narrowing; absent flow can suggest occlusion. |
| Side-to-side comparison | Compares right and left leg findings. | Useful when symptoms are asymmetrical or both legs are affected. |
What happens if your scan is abnormal?
Your report will describe the findings clearly and advise suitable next steps based on severity.
Borderline or mild disease
May be suitable for GP review, risk-factor management and monitoring depending on symptoms.
Moderate disease
Findings related to claudication may need GP or vascular specialist review.
Severe disease
Markedly reduced blood supply may need urgent specialist vascular assessment.
Acute limb symptoms
Sudden severe pain, coldness, pallor or loss of sensation should be treated as urgent.
Evidence-based vascular assessment
Peripheral arterial disease is often linked with wider cardiovascular risk. Doppler ultrasound and ABPI can provide practical information for diagnosis, risk assessment and onward care planning.
Useful for PAD pathways
Doppler can localise flow changes and help determine whether symptoms may relate to arterial narrowing or blockage.
Helpful for onward referral
A structured written report can be shared with your GP, vascular specialist, podiatry team or diabetes care team.
Your vascular ultrasound team
A clean, equal-size team grid with consistent photos, roles and registration details.

Mr Pedram Aghaei
Vascular Scientist · Medical Writing / Editorial Governance
RCT · BMUS · SoR · SVT
Supports vascular ultrasound standards, medical writing and patient information governance for London Private Ultrasound.

Mr Reza Farahmandfar
Consultant Sonographer · Lead Vascular Scientist
SoR · BMUS · SVT
Performs general, vascular and lump-and-bump ultrasound with experience in vascular service leadership.

Dr Reza Salehi
Specialist Doctor · Consultant Radiologist
GMC · RCR
GMC-registered specialist doctor and consultant radiologist with MSK and general ultrasound experience at LPU.

Dr Babak Soleimanpour
Medical Director · GP
GMC 6060555 · MRCGP · DRCOG
Provides medical director oversight, clinical governance and GP input for patient pathways.

Mrs Fatemeh Selahi
CQC Champion · Nurse Prescriber
NMC Registered
Supports CQC standards, prescribing governance and patient-safety pathways.

Mr Ali Aghaei MPharm
Pharmacist Prescriber
GPhC Registered
Supports medication review where appropriate, including health-check and prescribing-related pathways.
Frequently asked questions
What is an arterial Doppler ultrasound scan?
An arterial Doppler is a non-invasive ultrasound scan that assesses blood flow through the arteries in your legs. It can help detect narrowing, blockages and reduced flow caused by peripheral arterial disease.
How much does an arterial Doppler scan cost?
At LPU, an arterial Doppler is £249 for one limb or £449 for both limbs. Adding ABPI makes it £299 for one limb or £499 for both limbs.
What is ABPI?
ABPI stands for Ankle Brachial Pressure Index. It compares blood pressure at the ankle with blood pressure at the arm to help assess leg circulation.
Should I book one limb or two?
Choose one limb if symptoms are clearly on one side. Choose two limbs if both legs are affected or you want comparison between sides.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can self-refer and book directly online, by phone or via WhatsApp.
Is it painful or does it use radiation?
No. Arterial Doppler uses ultrasound, not radiation. The ABPI uses blood-pressure cuffs and is generally well tolerated.
When will I get my results?
Your findings are explained after the scan and a written diagnostic report is normally provided within 24 hours.
Other vascular scans you may need
Safe, regulated, professional care
London Private Ultrasound is CQC regulated, ICO registered and supported by doctor-led clinical governance.
CQC regulated
Care is delivered within a regulated private healthcare setting.
ICO registered
Patient information is handled securely and professionally.
Doctor-led governance
Medical Director oversight supports safe clinical pathways and reporting standards.
Book your private arterial Doppler scan
Book online, call the team, or send a WhatsApp message. We can help you choose one limb, two limbs, or Doppler with ABPI.