Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) test
Why Should you have a test for Peripheral Arterial Disease
PAD is a symptom of atherosclerosis (clogged arteries) throughout the arteries of your body. That means that if you have PAD, it is likely that other arteries in your body are becoming blocked.
How does my primary care provider know if I have PAD?
Your primary care provider may detect weak or absent pulses in the arteries of the foot or ankle. Make sure your primary care provider feels for the pulses in your foot and ankle regularly. Your doctor may order a blood pressure test of your ankle. This is called the Ankle Brachial Index (ABI). If the blood pressure in the ankle is lower than the pressure in the arm, that person may have PAD.
Who is at risk of getting PAD?
If you have Diabetes.
History of smoking (but quit) or currently smoking
Age 65 years and older
Leg pain or tightness when you walk or go up stairs-known as claudication
Where can You get more information about PAD?
American Diabetes Association (ADA) statement about PAD
ADA recommends that anyone over the age of 50 who has diabetes get screened for PAD. People with diabetes who are younger than 50 should be considered for screening if they have other risk factors for this condition, including smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or having diabetes for more than 10 years.
If you are at risk for PAD, ask your medical care provider to do a test
The responsibility for the detection of lower extremity PAD should be with the primary care provider.