UPMC Hamot Services

Peripheral Artery Disease

How is PAD diagnosed?

PAD is diagnosed through a process called vascular screening also known as a cardiovascular profile. It includes several tests:

  • Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) Screening: blood pressure readings in both arms and ankles, as well as ultrasound of the arteries in the ankles
  • Carotid Artery Screening: ultrasound imaging of the arteries in the neck
  • Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm (AAA) Screening: ultrasound of abdominal aortic artery

The entire process takes about one hour, requires no fasting and is completely painless. You do not need a physician's order to have a vascular screening performed.

For more information, or if you have a question about the screening process, please call 814-877-5265