The thought of seeing a physician isn’t always pleasant, and the process can vary greatly. Knowing what to expect may help to make the process easier to manage. The following information will give you an idea of what to expect during the PAD diagnosis process.

Learn about treatment options

Blood Flow Measurements

Your physician will perform or refer you for testing to measure your blood flow. Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) is a common test for detecting PAD, because it can help diagnose the disease in patients who may or may not have symptoms. It works by comparing the blood pressure in your ankles with the blood pressure in your arms before and after exercise. This test is important for diagnostic purposes and is non-invasive. This means you will not be sedated or need to be hospitalized in order to undergo this test.

Angiogram

Your physician may decide to take a picture of your arteries to see whether you have restricted blood flow. Contrast angiography is a medical procedure that takes pictures of your blood vessels using an x-ray, so the physician can observe any narrowing or blockage. This can help the physician determine if a medical procedure to address restricted blood flow is necessary. Angiograms are performed by interventional specialists who include cardiologists, radiologists, and vascular surgeons.

An angiogram is an important step in diagnosing PAD. After getting an angiogram, you and your physician will have a better idea of how much plaque has built up in your arteries and how it should be addressed. If you’ve been diagnosed with PAD, you have several treatment options.

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