Aim and intended learning outcomes <p>The aim of this article is to help the reader to recognise arterial impairment, when to refer patients and how to treat them conservatively.</p> <p>After reading this article the nurse should be able to:</p> ■ <p>Describe the causes of arterial disease</p> ■ <p>Discuss how to assess a patient and when to refer for a vascular opinion</p> ■ <p>Understand the conditions associated with arterial leg ulcers</p> ■ <p>Explain how to manage arterial leg ulcers</p> ■ <p>Discuss what advice to give to patients.</p>