Can I be screened for Peripheral Vascular Disease?

Screenings should be performed on individuals who complain of leg pain and have diminished pulses in their legs, all smokers as part of their regular physical exam, any male over the age of 65 who has a history of smoking, and anyone who has a family history of PVD.

Screenings for PVD can be performed in the office by doing an “ankle- brachial index” (ABI) test which uses blood pressure cuffs to measure blood flow in the legs. Sometimes patients may be asked to walk on a treadmill until they begin to have leg pain, and then the ABI is re-measured. If the ABI is abnormal, an ultrasound of the arteries may be performed to help determine the location and extent of blockage.