Ankle-Brachial Index Testing

The ankle-brachial index compares blood pressure at the ankle with blood pressure in the arm. A significantly lower reading at the ankle suggests narrowed arteries in the legs — peripheral artery disease — which often develops quietly.

Who Benefits From Screening

Leg pain with walking — cramping or aching that eases with rest.
Diabetes or a smoking history — both meaningfully raise the risk.
Slow-healing foot wounds — a sign that circulation may be limited.

Why It Is Worth Knowing

Peripheral artery disease is also a marker of cardiovascular risk elsewhere in the body. A positive screen shapes how blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes are managed, and it may prompt referral to a vascular specialist.