Results

Your doctor uses the blood pressure measurements from your arms and ankles to calculate your ankle-brachial index.

Based on the number your doctor calculates, your ankle-brachial index may show you have:

• No blockage (1.0 to 1.4). An ankle-brachial index number in this range suggests that you probably don't have PAD. But if you have symptoms of PAD, your doctor might perform an exercise ankle-brachial index test.
• Borderline blockage (0.91 to 0.99). An ankle-brachial index number is this range indicates that you have borderline PAD. Your doctor might recommend an exercise ankle-brachial index test.
• PAD (less than 0.90). An ankle-brachial index number in this range is considered abnormal and indicates a diagnosis of PAD. Your doctor may recommend additional testing, such as ultrasound or angiography, to view the arteries in your legs.

If you have severe diabetes or significantly blocked arteries, your doctor may need to read your blood pressure at your big toe (toe-brachial index) to get an accurate test result.

Depending on the severity of your blockage, your doctor may recommend:

• Lifestyle changes
• Medication
• Surgery to treat PAD