"I couldn’t have asked for better care."
— Les, Heart Center Patient
What are blood pressure tests?
A blood pressure test measures the pressure in your arteries as your heart pumps. An abnormal blood pressure reading can be an early indication of heart or vascular disease, leading to faster treatment.
Arm Cuff Reading
You're likely familiar with this routine test that uses an inflatable cuff to measure the blood pressure in your upper arm.
Ankle-Branchial Index (ABI)
Similar to a routine arm cuff screening, this test uses inflatable cuffs to measure blood pressure in both legs compared to the blood pressure in both arms. The first time, your doctor may use blood pressure cuffs at several locations on the legs. Subsequent tests will likely measure blood pressure at your ankles and arms only.
What to Expect
You will be asked to walk on a treadmill for 5 minutes to evaluate your blood pressure as you walk and then checked every minute for 5 minutes to evaluate your blood pressure at rest. It is important to try to walk for the full time if possible to get a complete evaluation.
Duration
Plan for this test to take 30 to 45 minutes.
