How is PAD Diagnosed?
Peripheral artery disease, or PAD, diagnosis begins with a medical history 和 physical examination. Your health care professional also will ask about your 症状 和 check the pulses in your legs.
Your physical exam may include:
- Ankle-brachial index, or ABI: This painless exam compares the blood pressure in your lower legs to the blood pressure in your arms. It takes only a few minutes 和 can be performed by your health care professional as part of a routine exam. 正常的ABI值为1.00或更大. A value less than or equal to 0.90 is considered abnormal, 和, in severe disease, it’s less than 0.4. If your ABI results are normal or borderline (.91 to .99), an exercise treadmill ABI 和/or a toe-brachial index test also may be done. See a detailed illustration of the ABI test.
If your ABI is abnormal, you may need more testing. Your health care professional may recommend one of these tests:
- Duplex ultrasonography: The non-invasive test visualizes the arteries 和 veins with sound waves 和 measures blood flow to indicate the presence of a blockage.
- Computed tomographic (CT) angiography: The non-invasive test uses X-ray 和 contrast agent (dye) to create pictures of blood vessels in the arteries in your abdomen, 骨盆和腿部. This test is particularly useful in people with pacemakers or stents.
- Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA): The test provides cross-sectional images like a CT without using X-rays.
- 血管造影: 血管造影期间, also called an arteriogram, a contrast dye is injected into the artery 和 X-rays are taken to show blood flow in the leg arteries to locate any blockages. 了解更多关于 peripheral angiograms.
Remember, PAD often goes undiagnosed. Untreated it can lead to painful 症状 or loss of a leg. People with PAD also have an increased risk of coronary artery disease, 中风 和 心脏病. This is why the American Heart Association encourages people at risk to discuss PAD with their health care professional to ensure early diagnosis 和 treatment.
