How is PAD diagnosed?

A leg that tires quickly can have many explanations. PAD is one of them, and finding out whether it applies to you starts with a simple test.

The test that compares two pressures

www.sirweb.org says: "An interventional radiologist can help determine if you have PAD through a simple test called an ankle brachial index test, or ABI, which compares your ankle’s blood pressure with your arm’s blood pressure."

The logic is easy to follow. Two readings, one at the ankle and one at the arm, are set against each other.

Other tests you may hear about

The MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia describes two tests that look at blood flow in the limbs. One is plethysmography, and the other is the Doppler ultrasound exam of an arm or leg. Neither page replaces an examination, but they help you follow along when a clinician names them.

Pages that explain PAD itself

For the condition itself, the NHLBI, NIH page on what PAD is is a clear starting point. The vascular disease overview shows where PAD fits among related conditions.

The question to ask first

Before agreeing to treatment, ask which test confirmed the diagnosis and what the result was. If no test was run, ask why.