Ankle-Brachial Index
**Ankle-Brachial Index: A Comprehensive Overview for Enhanced SEO**
The Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) is a non-invasive diagnostic test used to assess the health of the arteries in your legs. It is calculated by dividing the blood pressure in your ankle by the blood pressure in your arm. An ABI of less than 0.9 indicates peripheral artery disease (PAD), which is a condition that can lead to serious health problems, including heart attack and stroke.
**Benefits of an ABI Test:**
* Detects PAD early on, before symptoms occur
* Assesses the severity of PAD
* Monitors the effectiveness of PAD treatment
* Identifies patients at high risk for cardiovascular events
**Procedure:**
An ABI test is a simple and painless procedure that takes about 15 minutes. It is performed in a doctor’s office or clinic. During the test, a technician will measure your blood pressure in both your arms and ankles.
**Interpretation:**
* **ABI of 1.0 or higher:** Normal
* **ABI of 0.9 to 0.99:** Borderline PAD
* **ABI of less than 0.9:** PAD
**Causes of PAD:**
* Smoking
* Diabetes
* High blood pressure
* High cholesterol
* Obesity
* Age
**Treatment for PAD:**
Treatment for PAD includes lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking, eating a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise. In some cases, medication or surgery may be necessary.
**Importance of Early Detection:**
Early detection of PAD is important because it can help prevent serious health problems. If you have any of the risk factors for PAD, talk to your doctor about getting an ABI test.
Symptoms of Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) and How to Manage Them
The hallmark symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD) is pain when walking. More advanced PAD may cause pain at rest and other symptoms that need immediate attention. Like coronary artery disease, PAD results from plaque buildup in certain arteries. That…