Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a measure that reflects the degree of arterial blood flow in the legs. In other words, the ABI allows you to judge how complete the blood supply to the lower extremities is. In order to determine the ABI, the clinician must measure the patient's blood pressure in the legs (at ankle level) and in the arms (at shoulder level). The mathematical relationship of these two values gives the ABI indicator: ABI = BP (at the level of the ankle) / BP (at the level of the shoulder).
Measurement of blood pressure is the main and very important method for diagnosing arterial hypertension. In addition, everyone who suffers from arterial hypertension should be able to correctly measure blood pressure. The skills of self-measurement of pressure will help you, together with your doctor, control the course of the disease, adjust the treatment in time, and take medicines in a timely manner in case of a sudden increase in blood pressure.
Proper cuff selection is essential to accurately measure blood pressure in the legs.
MEDICARE supplies cuffs in small, standard and large sizes.
