Test & Diagnosis

The diagnosis is based on medical, family history, physical examination, and test results. A correct diagnosis is very important because people with PAD are at higher risk of heart attack and Stroke.

To be sure you  have PAD your doctor may ask for the following tests:

• Physical Examination – Your doctor may find your foot pulses absent of weak. He may find a bruit with a stethoscope placed over the artery or reduced blood pressure in the affected limb.
• Ankle-brachial index (ABI). This is commonly performed and compares your blood pressure in the ankle with that of the arm. This test may be performed after exercising on the treadmill.

• Ultrasound – this helps evaluate blood flow through the arteries and identify blocked arteries or narrowed arteries.

• Angiography – It is performed by injecting a dye into the artery and seeing the flow through the vessel.