What Is an ABI?

Getting the diagnosis is the first step. The diagnosis is made by measuring the ankle-brachial index (ABI) in conjunction with a medical history and a physical examination. The ABI is a noninvasive blood pressure measurement of the ratio of ankle systolic pressure to brachial (arm) systolic pressure, which quantifies the degree of arterial insufficiency. Your health-care provider or doctor may perform the ABI in the office or send you to a vascular lab.

The ABI should be checked if you are having reproducible pain in the calf, hips, or buttocks that comes on with walking and is relieved by rest. The ABI should also be checked if you are:

1. < 50 years old with diabetes and one of the following risk factors: smoker, high blood pressure, high cholesterol level, or high homocysteine, have known heart disease, have had a stroke/TIA or renal artery disease;
2. Age 50-69 with diabetes and a history of smoking; and
3. If you are > 70 years old. The ABI should be rechecked if leg symptoms get worse or walking distance decreases. If it is normal, it should be rechecked in approximately five years.

Talk to your health-care provider as to whether you may be a candidate to have your ABI checked.