Peripheral artery disease (PAD) is a condition that is similar to coronary artery disease, except that it occurs in the legs. It happens when the arteries in the legs become blocked by plaque buildup. This can restrict blood flow to the kidneys, stomach, arms, legs and feet. In addition, pieces of plaque can break off and lodge anywhere in the body, causing a heart attack or stroke. The symptoms of this condition may not be automatically associated with a serious illness. Therefore it is important for your doctor to run tests to diagnose peripheral artery disease to help avoid complications.
Ankle-Brachial Index Test
The American Heart Association states that the first step in diagnosing peripheral artery disease is to have a complete physical exam. You will need to tell your doctor about any symptoms you are having along with what makes them better and what makes them worse. Your physician will also perform an ankle-brachial index (ABI) test by taking the blood pressure in your feet and arms. The two results are then compared. If the pressure in your feet is much lower than the pressure in your arms, you may have PAD. If your doctor suspects PAD, he will need to do other tests to help confirm a diagnosis.
Blood Vessel Scans
According to the Society for Vascular Surgery, there are several tests that use sound waves or radio waves to determine how well your blood is flowing. These tests will produce pictures of your arteries in various areas of the body to help detect blockages and other problems. Some of the tests include Doppler ultrasound, computed tomographic angiography and magnetic resonance angiography. These tests not only detect a problem with blood flow but can also pick up on any damage to the blood vessels. With some of these tests your doctor can also inject a dye to help better follow the blood flow through the body.
Arteriogram
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute states that if other tests show a likelihood of PAD, you may need to have an arteriogram. This test involves injecting a dye into your body and then using x-ray images or tiny cameras to follow the flow of your blood. This test can confirm a clot that is blocking the artery along with its size and exact location. This will help your doctor to form a more comprehensive treatment approach.
