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By Mayo Clinic staffWhen the ankle-brachial index test is complete, your doctor calculates your ankle-brachial index by dividing the higher of the two blood pressure measurements at your arms by the higher of the two blood pressure measurements at the arteries near your ankle. Based on the number your doctor calculates, your ankle-brachial index may show you have:
- No blockage (1.0 to 1.3). An ankle-brachial index number in this range suggests that you probably don't have peripheral artery disease. But if you have certain risk factors, such as diabetes, smoking or a family history of PAD, tell your doctor so that he or she can continue to monitor your risk.
- Mild blockage (0.8 to 0.99). If your ankle-brachial index number is less than 1.0, you may have some narrowing of the arteries in your leg. People with an ankle-brachial index of 0.9 or lower may have the beginnings of peripheral artery disease. Your doctor may then monitor your condition more closely.
- Moderate blockage (0.4 to 0.79). An ankle-brachial index number in this range indicates more significant blockage of your ankle and leg arteries. You may have noticed some pain in your legs or buttocks when you exercise.
- Severe blockage (less than 0.4). If your ankle-brachial index number is in this range, your leg arteries are significantly blocked and you may have pain in your legs even while resting. An ankle-brachial index of less than 0.4 suggests severe peripheral artery disease.
- Rigid arteries (more than 1.3). If your ankle-brachial index number is higher than 1.3, this may mean that your arteries are rigid and don't compress when the blood pressure cuff is inflated. You may need an ultrasound test to check for peripheral artery disease instead of an ankle-brachial index test, or a toe-brachial index test, in which the blood pressures in your arm and big toe are compared.
Depending on the severity of your blockage, your doctor may recommend lifestyle changes, medications or surgery to treat peripheral artery disease. Talk to your doctor about your options. You may also need additional imaging tests to see what treatment is best for you.
The test may not adequately measure the ankle-brachial index if you have severe diabetes or calcified arteries with significant blockage. Instead, your doctor may need to read your blood pressure at your big toe (toe-brachial index) to get an accurate test result if you have either of these conditions.
- Grenon SM, et al. Ankle-brachial index for assessment of peripheral artery disease. New England Journal of Medicine. 2009;361:e40.
- ABI. Vascular Disease Foundation. http://www.vdf.org/diseaseinfo/pad/anklebrachial.php. Accessed April 28, 2010.
- Ankle brachial index. Harvard Medical School Family Health Guide. http://www.health.harvard.edu/fhg/updates/ankle-brachial-index.shtml. Accessed April 28, 2010.
- Espinola-Klein C, et al. Different calculations of ankle-brachial index and their impact on cardiovascular risk prediction. Circulation. 2008;118:961.
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