Doppler Pressure Studies – Rest and Exercise

A resting pressure study is a test done to screen for peripheral vascular disease. An ankle brachial index is a highly accurate marker for diffuse atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk. The study is non-invasive and involves taking blood pressure readings at both ankles and comparing them to the arms.

An exercise pressure study is performed to confirm any diagnosis of intermittent claudication and peripheral arterial disease. An exercise study looks specifically at the functional limitations of peripheral artery disease and involves five minutes of exercise on a treadmill walking at an incline. The aim of an exercise pressure study is to look for a drop in blood pressure that correlates with symptoms being experienced by the patient