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Home » FAQs » Peripheral arterial disease

Peripheral Arterial Disease

What is peripheral arterial disease (PAD)?
Can participants with blood clots in their legs have an ankle-brachial index (ABI) screening?
Can a participant who has had a mastectomy have an ABI?
What does it mean if the arteries do not compress?
Can a participant with heart disease have an ABI?
Does a lower ratio mean more severe arterial disease than a higher abnormal ratio?
Can the ABI show any problems with venous disease (deep venous thrombosis, phlebitis, varicose veins)?

Q. What is peripheral arterial disease (PAD)?

A. PAD, more commonly known as hardening of the arteries, is a condition in which the large and medium-sized arteries supplying blood to the legs become narrow or clogged, constricting the flow of blood. PAD is caused by atherosclerosis, a gradual process in which cholesterol and scar tissue build up, forming a substance called plaque that clogs the artery. Learn more about PAD.

Q. Can participants with blood clots in their legs have an ankle-brachial index (ABI) screening?

A. No. If a participant has a history of blood clots and is unsure if the blood clots have been resolved, we require a note from his or her physician stating that the participant has no known blood clots in the legs. We cannot perform the screening without this verification.

Q. Can a participant who has had a mastectomy have an ABI?

A. Yes. We take the pressure in the other arm and use that to formulate a ratio. We do this because when a patient has had surgery for breast cancer, usually lymph nodes under the arm are removed as well. Compression of the lymph system of the arm can lead to painful swelling for a long time.

If you’ve had a double mastectomy, we will perform the screening on whichever arm you use to have blood pressure taken. You may want to check with your doctor before your screening to find out which arm is preferable.

Q. What does it mean if the arteries do not compress?

A. Non-compressibility is due to vascular disease of the walls of the vessels. This leads to the participant receiving an abnormal reading. It is most commonly seen in people who have diabetes, although it may also happen in individuals who do not.

Q. Can a participant with heart disease have an ABI?

A. Yes. This is a very good reason to have the screening done. People who have heart disease are at higher risk for peripheral arterial disease. Likewise, people who have an abnormal ABI are 3 to 5 times more likely to have coronary artery disease.

Q. Does a lower ratio mean more severe arterial disease than a higher abnormal ratio?

A. Yes. The lower the ratio, the more severe the arterial disease is.

Q. Can the ABI show any problems with venous disease (deep venous thrombosis, phlebitis, varicose veins)?

A. No. The ABI screens for peripheral arterial disease only. We do not conduct venous disease testing.

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Comments

Guy Lemire, MD, FRCS (C), FACS (THOR) said on July 27, 2010

Anna - If your test showed the presence of possible PAD, we would encourage you to take your tests to another doctor and ask him or her to please review. The Ankle-Brachial Index is the gold-standard test and is very reliable. For more information on Perihperal Arterial Diseases, please visit the PAD Coalition at www.padcoalition.org. You will notice that there is new legislation being introduced to raise awareness of PAD specifically because not enough people know about it or take it seriously. Thank you for writing and please, seek a second opinion.

Anna said on July 15, 2010

I would like to know if anyone else Doctor did not take their reports seriously. I paid all the money for the test only to find their was a problem but my doctors says to disregard as I dont fit the profile.

Guy Lemire, MD, FRCS (C), FACS (THOR) said on May 03, 2010

Maureen - As you know lymphedema is a difficult condition to deal with but it has no correlation with the presence of peripheral arterial disease which is also called PVD. Arterial disease is a chronic condition that can reveal itself suddenly when an artery narrows significantly or clots up. Your swollen legs probably made it difficult for your doctors to feel your pulses so that it may seem to you that your PVD came on suddenly. See an experienced vascular surgeon because this may be a significant and serious problem.

maureen said on April 15, 2010

I was diagnosed with lymphodema a couple of years ago, and have been treated for that, leg wraps, massages, wearing support hose - now I am told I have a severely blocked artery in my left leg, partial in my right, are they related? I had extensive testing prior to the lymphodema diagnosis, x-rays, sigmoid something, etc, can this condition appear so quickly?

Guy Lemire, MD, FRCS (C), FACS (THOR) said on April 07, 2010

Cheryl - Yes, PAD can be unilateral.A screening to measure the BP comparing arm and leg blood pressure could confirm it.An angiogram would show it.

CHERYL M. said on March 30, 2010

CAN PAD SYMPTOMS BE IN ONE LEG ONLY? WOULD ULTRSOUND BE CONCLUSIVE?

Guy Lemire, MD, FRCS (C), FACS (THOR) said on March 18, 2010

Danielle - There is no danger in leg massages with PAD. In fact massage therapy may help in improving circulation by increasing warmth in the massaged areas.

danielle m. Massage therpist said on March 12, 2010

I would like to know if it is okay to massage a person with PAD. and why?

Guy Lemire, MD, FRCS (C), FACS (THOR) said on March 08, 2010

Decidoro – Leg pain upon walking, that then goes away with rest, can be a sign of PAD. Potassium is not known to be protective in atherosclerosis. Potassium is recommended for potassium loss due to diuretic therapy or certain medical disorders, and then only with intact kidney function.

Decidoro Lopez Jr. said on February 27, 2010

Are leg cramps a sign of pad, and does taking potassium vitamins help?

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