Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is an important healthcare problem and is an indicator of widespread atherosclerosis in other vascular territories, such as the cerebral and coronary circulations. PAD is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Most population-based studies investigating PAD prevalence and risk factors for its development and progression have been based on predominantly White ethnic groups. Much less is known about the characteristics of this disease in other ethnic groups. Understanding the epidemiology of PAD amongst ethnic minority groups is relevant, given that the population of minority ethnic groups in countries such as the United Kingdom rose by 53% between 1991 and 2001 and is expected to rise further in the future. This article aims to provide an overview of possible pathophysiological differences between ethnic groups for PAD, focussing predominantly on South Asians (people originating from India, Bangladesh and Pakistan) and Blacks (people of Black Caribbean and Black African descent) as these groups comprise the majority of all ethnic minorities in the United Kingdom.