What is an ankle-brachial index?
An ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a noninvasive screening test designed to detect arterial insufficiency, which is reduced blood flow through the arteries in your arms and legs. An ABI test helps your doctor determine whether narrowing (or another restriction) in an artery or blood vessel is reducing blood flow to your extremities and helps identify the location and how serious it is.
Why it’s done
The ABI test helps detect cardiovascular conditions, primarily peripheral artery disease (PAD). Your doctor may recommend an ABI test if you have risk factors for PAD. Risk factors may include:
- Age 65 or older
- Type 2 diabetes
- A family history of PAD, heart disease or stroke
- High blood pressure or high cholesterol
- A history of smoking, or using other tobacco products
Your doctor may also recommend an ABI test if you have claudication, which is pain in your calf, hips or thighs that occurs when you walk or move but goes away after you rest. Claudication is often related to PAD.
How to prepare for an ankle-brachial index test
Wear loose, comfortable clothing to your test. Shorts can make it easier for your healthcare provider to put on and remove the blood pressure cuff from your lower calf. Continue to take any medication as prescribed unless your doctor says otherwise. You won’t be able to have an ABI test if you have a fracture or wound on your arms or legs, so talk to your doctor if you’ve experienced a recent injury.
What to expect during an ankle-brachial index
Before the test
On the day of the test, the healthcare provider performing the test will review your medical history. You will lie on your back 10 to 30 minutes before the test.During the test
An ABI test measures your systolic blood pressure, a measurement of how much pressure blood places on your artery walls as your heart contracts.
During the test, your systolic blood pressure will be measured in both of your arms and your ankles.
Each time your blood pressure is taken, your provider will place a cuff around your arm or ankle. After inflating the cuff, they will place a small ultrasound device against your skin to measure your pulse and blood pressure.
This progression enables your doctor to compare the blood pressure readings from each area.
After the test
The ankle-brachial index test is quick and usually takes just a few minutes. It’s a simple, non-invasive procedure that doesn’t require any drugs or sedatives. You will be able to drive yourself after the procedure and continue with your normal daily plans and routine.Ankle-brachial index results
To determine your ABI value, your provider divides the pressure measurements in your ankles by the pressure measurements in your arms. The values will be sent to your referring provider, who will review the test results and recommend the appropriate next steps.
Based on the number from your ankle-brachial index (ABI) test, your results may show:
- No artery blockage (1.0 to 1.4): If your ABI is in this range, you probably don’t have peripheral artery disease (PAD). But if you still have symptoms, you might need another ABI test after exercising.
- Borderline blockage (0.90 to 1.0): You may have early signs of PAD. Your arteries might be starting to narrow, but blood flow isn’t blocked yet. Although the ABI is very accurate, you may get a normal reading even if you have symptoms of PAD. If that’s the case, your doctor may recommend other tests to confirm or rule out a diagnosis.
- PAD (less than 0.90): Results lower than 0.9 suggest PAD. The lower the number, the more severe the PAD. You might need more tests, like an ultrasound or angiography, to check the arteries in your legs.
- Calcification/vessel hardening (higher than 1.4): ABI values above 1.4 indicate a calcified vessel. This means you have plaque buildup in your arteries, causing them to harden.
What does a high ankle-brachial index mean?
An ankle-brachial index greater than 1.4 may suggest the presence of arterial calcification. Calcification in your arteries can occur as you age, but it’s also a sign of heart disease and can increase your risk of heart attacks. Working with a vascular specialist can help you find medications, lifestyle changes or other treatments to address plaque buildup and other conditions, such as diabetes, that can contribute to its formation.
Find a location near you
You can receive an ABI test at Baylor Scott & White locations throughout Central and North Texas. Your results will be shared with your provider, and we can help you arrange for additional care at one of our many heart and vascular locations.
AccentCare - Fort Worth
3880 Hulen St , Fort Worth, TX, 76107
AccentCare Home Health of Brenham
526 W Main St , Brenham, TX, 77833
AccentCare Home Health of College Station
119 Medical Park Lane Ste C, Huntsville, TX, 77340
AccentCare Home Health of College Station
1605 Rock Prairie Rd Ste 206, College Station, TX, 77845
AccentCare Home Health Of Denton
225 W. Mulberry St. Ste A, Denton, TX, 76201
AccentCare Home Health Of Desoto
911 York Drive Ste 203, DeSoto, TX, 75115
AccentCare Home Health Of Fort Worth (Arlington)
700 Highlander Blvd Ste 205, Arlington, TX, 76015
AccentCare Home Health of Huntsville
122 Medical Park Lane B , Huntsville, TX, 77340
AccentCare Home Health of Marble Falls
1100 Mission Hills Dr Ste 100, Marble Falls, TX, 78654
AccentCare Home Health Of McKinney
6800 Weiskopf Ave Ste 100, McKinney, TX, 75070
AccentCare Home Health Of Taylor (Hutto)
567 Chris Kelley Blvd Ste 201, Hutto, TX, 78634
AccentCare Home Health Of Temple
3809 S General Bruce Dr Ste 105B, Temple, TX, 76502
AccentCare Home Health Of Waco
8300 Central Park Dr Ste A, Waco, TX, 76712
AdventHealth Central Texas
2201 S Clear Creek Rd , Killeen, TX, 76549
Andrews Women's Hospital at Baylor Scott & White - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White - Hillcrest Infectious Disease Clinic
50 Hillcrest Medical Blvd MOB1, Ste 104, Waco, TX, 76712
Baylor Scott & White - Plano Brain and Spine Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 810, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White - Texas Brain and Spine Institute
900 Scott and White Dr , College Station, TX, 77845
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White - Texas Brain and Spine Institute - Huntsville
122 Medical Park Ln Ste A, Huntsville, TX, 77340
Baylor Scott & White - The Brenham Clinic
600 N Park St , Brenham, TX, 77833
- Monday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Cardiac Imaging Specialists
1100 Allied Dr , Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Cardiovascular and Imaging Consultants
4708 Alliance Blvd Ste 450, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Digestive Care
3434 Swiss Ave Ste 200, Dallas, TX, 75204
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart and Lung Disease Center - Fort Worth
1420 8th Ave Ste 103, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd , Anna, TX, 75409
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Decatur
2401 S FM 51 Ste 200, Decatur, TX, 76234
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Denton
3333 Colorado Blvd , Denton, TX, 76210
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Idabel, OK
4 SE Avenue A , Idabel, OK, 74745
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Keller (Satellite)
3124 N Tarrant Pkwy Ste 204, Keller, TX, 76177
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - McKinney (Satellite)
5236 W University Dr Ste 4450, McKinney, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Mt Pleasant (Satellite)
1011 N Jefferson Ave , Mt Pleasant, TX, 75455
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Paris
875 S Collegiate Dr , Paris, TX, 75462
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Plano
4716 Dexter Dr Ste 100, Plano, TX, 75093
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sherman Sycamore (Satellite)
203 E Sycamore St , Sherman, TX, 75090
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care – Sherman Highland (Satellite)
300 N Highland Ave , Sherman, TX, 75092
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Irving
2001 N MacArthur Blvd Bldg 1, Ste 360, Irving, TX, 75061
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Abilene
1219 E South 11th St Ste B2, Abilene, TX, 79602
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Amarillo
1901 Medi Park Dr Ste 2051, Amarillo, TX, 79106
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave Ste 105, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Lubbock
3711 22nd St Ste B, Lubbock, TX, 79410
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Midland/Odessa
420 E 6th St Ste 102, Odessa, TX, 79761
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Waxahachie
2360 N Interstate 35E MOB 2, Ste 310, Waxahachie, TX, 75165
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Specialists - Fort Worth
1250 8th Ave Ste 200, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Lung Disease Specialists - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Ambulatory Endoscopy Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 210, Plano, TX, 75093
- Monday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm