Ankle Brachial Index |  | 
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You may have peripheral arterial disease, limb ischemia or other symptoms of heart trouble. To help diagnose your problem, your doctor may suggest testing your ankle-brachial index (ABI). ABI is a measurement that evaluates the adequacy of the circulation in your legs
During the test Having an ABI test is painless and similar to getting your blood pressure taken in a routine doctor's visit
- You lie on a table on your back, and your doctor measures your blood pressure in both your arms using an inflatable cuff
- Your doctor measures the blood pressure in two positions in your left ankle using the inflatable cuff and a hand-held Doppler device
- You may feel some pressure on your arm or ankle when the cuff inflates to read your blood pressure
After the test
ABI Scores and what they mean Based on the number your doctor calculates, your ankle-brachial index may indicate:
| ABI Score |
What it means |
| 1.0 to 1.3 |
No Blockage. You probably don't have peripheral artery disease, but if you are at risk for heart disease, tell your doctor so that he or she can continue to monitor your risk. |
| 0.8 to 0.99 |
Mild Blockage. You may have some narrowing of the arteries in your ankle, and may even have the beginnings of peripheral artery disease. |
| 0.5 to 0.79 |
Moderate Blockage. A more significant blockage of your ankle arteries is indicated. You may have noticed some pain in your legs or buttocks when you exercise. |
| Less than 0.5 |
Severe Blockage. Your ankle arteries are significantly blocked. You may have pain in your legs even during rest. A score of less than 0.5 indicates severe peripheral artery disease. | |
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