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Vascular Health Oct 23, 2024

Ankle-Brachial Index

Ankle-Brachial Index

A fast, non-invasive test that measures for poor circulation or blocked arteries, often the first signal something deeper is going on.

Ankle-Brachial Index blood pressure test

In Search of Peripheral Artery Disease with the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI)

The Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) is a fast non-invasive test that measures for poor circulation or blocked arteries. ABI compares the blood pressure in your ankle to the blood pressure in your arm. If the blood flow to the legs is restricted, it could be a sign of peripheral artery disease (PAD) or other vascular issues.

ABI is important for early detection of poor blood flow, both in emergency settings (trauma) and for chronic conditions. ABI aids Dr. Andersen in deciding the best course of action for managing circulation-related conditions.

The test is comfortable and quick and is performed using a blood pressure cuff and an automated device. The systolic pressure in both the arm and ankle is measured, and the ratio is calculated.

The patient lies down in a relaxed, quiet setting for accurate measurements.

PainLab provides the ABI in conjunction with several other important vascular scores in a 15-minute test.


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