An elderly female without prior history of cardiovascular disease reports lower leg soreness and fatigue when shopping or walkin
g in the neighborhood. The primary care provider notes decreased pedal pulses bilaterally. Which test will the provider order initially to evaluate for peripheral arterial disease based on these symptoms?
This is the appropriate test for this woman because of difficulties experienced with her mobility. It makes use of the differences in the data obtained from the comparison of blood pressure(systolic) measured at the ankle with the one obtained at the arm. The pressure is measured with the Doppler Ultrasound blood flow detector and with Sphygmomanometer cuff.
The comparison is an indicator of her symptoms causes which may be due to obstruction or narrowing of the arteries in her legs. The conclusion from these will form the basis for her diagnosis for possible peripheral arterial diseases.
