More than 2,570 people in Medway could be living with a serious vascular condition which can lead to leg amputation, or a heart attack, according to the British Heart Foundation.

The charity said 90% of those at risk are smokers or ex-smokers. It urged smokers across the Towns to give up the habit on No Smoking Day today to lower their risk of peripheral arterial disease (Pad).

The condition is caused by build-up of fatty deposits in the walls of the leg arteries which restricts blood supply to leg muscles. It can caused by inhaling dangerous chemicals found in tobacco and can lead to serious and potentially fatal problems.

There are 1,281 registered Pad sufferers across the Towns, but BHF researchers estimate more than 2,570 people could be suffering.

Dr Mike Knapton, BHF associate medical director, said: “Peripheral arterial disease can lead to horrific consequences and the silent nature of the condition means that opportunities to diagnose and treat it are often missed.

“We do know that stopping smoking is the single most effective way of reducing your risk of developing this potentially deadly disease and with No Smoking Day on March 9, now is a great time for smokers in the Medway to prepare to start their quitting journey.”

Bijan Modarai, BHF fellow and consultant in vascular surgery at King’s College and St Thomas’ Hospital, said: “This dangerous disease very often goes undiagnosed and although there are 1,281 people in Medway officially suffering with PAD I estimate that there could be more than double this number living with the condition.

“Approximately 30,000 adults across the UK have the most severe form of the condition, which results in at least 9,000 amputations per year.

“It is crucial that we also use opportunities like No Smoking Day to raise awareness of the dangers of this cruel disease in order to inspire people to quit smoking and prevent them from putting themselves at risk in the first place.”