Your body relies on blood flow to bring nutrients and oxygen to your body. Your extremities, especially the feet and hands, are the last areas to receive blood flow. A simple test to measure your ankle brachial pressure can determine if your extremities are getting enough blood. When it comes to this condition, exercise can help you in two ways: it can indicate the need to have the ankle brachial test, and it can treat underlying conditions.
Definition
Ankle brachial pressure is a measurement that compares the blood pressure in your arms to the blood pressure in your ankles. This measurement is obtained via a painless test. The results help your physician determine how well blood is flowing in your body. A normal measurement would be your ankle pressure being 90 percent or more of your arm pressure. However, if the blood vessels in your leg are severely narrowed, your pressure difference can be as much as 50 percent. This measurement is important, because it can indicate the presence of a condition called peripheral artery disease.
The Exercise Link
Exercise often reveals the need for undergoing an ankle brachial index test. If you experience a narrowing in the blood vessels of your lower leg, physical activities like walking, climbing your stairs or engaging in aerobic activity can cause you to experience leg pain and cramping. This differs from typical muscle cramps while exercising, because the pain lasts after you cease exercising or tends to be more painful than typical muscle cramps. Also, you will have these symptoms in your muscles, not your joints -- meaning, you shouldn't brush them off as age-related pain. If you experience these symptoms, talk to your doctor about undergoing an ankle brachial test.
Diagnosis
If your leg pain with exercise continues and your physician finds your ankle brachial pressure is too low, he may diagnose you with peripheral artery disease -- also known as PAD. This is a serious condition, because it not only indicates that your blood is not flowing as well to your legs, it also can be a symptom of underlying fatty deposits in your arteries -- a condition known as atherosclerosis. Because atherosclerosis increases your risk for heart attack and stroke, your exercise-related symptoms and the ankle brachial index can save your life if you make changes to your lifestyle.
Exercise with PAD
If your ankle brachial pressure indicates you have PAD, exercise can be an important part of your recovery process. Your physician may recommend a physical therapist or special exercise program, which typically includes a regular walking program where you walk in short increments, such as five-, 10- or 15-minute sessions to prevent leg pain and throbbing. Always wear supportive footwear that fits to avoid affecting circulation to your feet when you exercise.
References
- Cardiovascular Physiology Concepts; Ankle-Brachial Pressure Index; Richard E. Klabunde; November 2007
- University of Colorado Hospital; The Ankle Brachial Index; Dr. Ivan Casserly
- "Journal of Vascular Disease"; Indications for and Limitations of Exercise Training in Patients With Intermittent Claudication; T. Ohta, et al; 2002
- MayoClinic.com; Peripheral Artery Disease; April 2010
- American Heart Association: Are You at Risk? Peripheral Artery Disease
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