Fast Facts on ABI

The ABI Exam

• The Ankle/Brachial Index (ABI) is a systolic blood pressure comparison between the arms and ankles.

• This procedure is similar to taking a standard blood pressure, but a Nicolet Doppler is used to listen to the blood flow instead of a stethoscope

• You only need to determine the systolic pressures for this simple procedure.

Why do an ABI Exam?

• It is a fast, effective tool for screening for Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).

• It is a non-invasive, easy, and affordable.

• Obtaining an ABI is recommended for any patient with the following risk factors:

  • 65+ years old

  • high blood pressure

  • inactive or bedridden

  • family history of heart attach or stroke.

  • diabetic

  • overweight

  • high cholesterol

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)
A walking Time Bomb:

• 8-12 million people in the USA alone are living with PAD.

• PAD sufferers have a five-fold risk of death from heart attack or stroke.

• Diabetic patients are at an even higher risk.

This is why the American Diabetes Association (ADA) December 2003 Consensus Statement recommends that anyone over the age of 50 with Diabetes be screened for PAD. Screening is also recommended for diabetic patients under 50 with other risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or having diabetes for 10 years or more. 

ABI Results
Determine the Severity of Disease:
ABI Value Indication 

• 0.96 or Above - Generally Normal

• 0.81 - 0.95 - Mild Disease

• 0.51 - 0.81 - Moderate Disease

• 0.31 - 0.50 - Moderate to Severe Disease

• 0.30 or below - Severe Disease