PAD & ABI Articles

Evidence-based guides on vascular health, PAD, and the ABI test — written for patients in the USA and Canada.

A collection of medically reviewed articles, guidelines, and patient resources
A collection of medically reviewed articles, guidelines, and patient resources.
Patient learning about the Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) test and vascular screening guide
ABI Testing
Updated June 2026

What Is the ABI? A Complete Patient Guide

The Ankle-Brachial Index explained from the ground up — what it measures, why it matters, and how it's calculated.

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Infographic displaying Ankle-Brachial Index score interpretation ranges from normal to severe blockage
ABI Testing
Updated June 2026

ABI Normal Range: What Your Score Means

A detailed breakdown of every ABI score range — from non-compressible arteries above 1.40 down to critical limb ischemia below 0.40.

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A clinician measuring ankle pressure using a Doppler ultrasound probe and blood pressure cuff
ABI Testing
Updated June 2026

ABI Test Procedure: Step by Step

Exactly what happens during an ABI test — from preparation to getting your results. A patient-friendly step-by-step guide.

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Stethoscope and medical billing forms representing insurance coverage and diagnostic costs
ABI Testing
Updated June 2026

ABI Test Cost 2026: Insurance, Medicare & Out-of-Pocket

CPT codes, Medicare coverage rules, private insurance guidance, and how to minimize your out-of-pocket cost for an ABI test.

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Comparison of ankle-cuff ABI and toe-cuff TBI procedures for arterial stiffness assessment
ABI Testing
Updated June 2026

ABI vs Toe-Brachial Index (TBI): Full Comparison

When does the ABI test fail — and when should TBI be used instead? A side-by-side comparison of both tests.

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Vascular screening with Toe-Brachial Index (TBI) for patients with calcified arteries due to diabetes
ABI Testing
Updated June 2026

ABI Testing in Diabetic Patients: What's Different

Why medial arterial calcification makes the ABI unreliable in diabetics — and what TBI reveals instead. Essential reading for diabetic patients.

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Cross-section comparing a healthy open artery to a clogged artery narrowed by atherosclerosis plaque
About PAD
Updated June 2026

Peripheral Artery Disease: The Complete Guide

Everything about PAD — causes, how atherosclerosis progresses, Fontaine staging, prevalence in USA and Canada, and what happens untreated.

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Illustration depicting poor circulation leading to calf and thigh pain or muscle cramps
About PAD
Updated June 2026

PAD Symptoms: Recognizing Poor Circulation in Your Legs

The full spectrum of PAD symptoms — from early subtle signs to urgent red flags. Learn which symptoms need emergency care.

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Conceptual graphic highlighting smoking, diabetes, age, and high blood pressure as PAD risk factors
About PAD
Updated June 2026

PAD Risk Factors: Who Gets Peripheral Artery Disease?

A detailed breakdown of every major PAD risk factor — with USA and Canada statistics — and what you can actually do about each one.

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Vascular diagram showing blocked calf circulation causing leg pain during physical exertion
About PAD
Updated June 2026

Intermittent Claudication: Causes, Grading & Treatment

Leg pain when walking that stops at rest — the hallmark symptom of PAD. How it's measured, graded, and treated in 2026.

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Infographic representing supervised walking exercise, vascular medications, and angioplasty balloon options
About PAD
Updated June 2026

PAD Treatment Options 2026: From Exercise to Surgery

The full treatment spectrum — supervised exercise, COMPASS regimen, endovascular procedures, and BEST-CLI trial findings for critical ischemia.

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Active senior couple walking to build collateral circulation and relieve claudication symptoms
Lifestyle
Updated June 2026

Exercise for PAD: Supervised Exercise Therapy Guide

How exercise physically remodels your vascular system, what Medicare covers, and how to build an effective home walking program.

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Cardiovascular healthy meal with grilled salmon, leafy greens, berries, and olive oil
Lifestyle
Updated June 2026

Diet for PAD: Best Foods for Circulation

The Mediterranean diet, PREDIMED trial evidence, specific circulation-boosting foods, and what to cut to slow plaque progression.

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Exterior of a Canadian healthcare facility representing CCS guidelines and provincial resources
Canada
Updated June 2026

PAD in Canada: Provincial Coverage, CCS Guidelines & Resources

Everything Canadian patients need to know — from province-by-province health coverage to Indigenous community health disparities to Heart & Stroke Foundation support.

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