15 Things You Can Do to Avoid a Heart Attack
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12. Have an Ankle-brachial Test
If you are over the age of 60 or experience pain or heaviness in your legs when walking, you should ask your doctor about getting an ankle-brachial test as part of your annual physical exam. The test is an entirely painless procedure that measures the pulses in your lower extremities. The test is a valuable tool for diagnosing peripheral artery disease, commonly known as PAD. Peripheral artery disease is a condition affecting the circulation in the lower extremities. If untreated, plaque can restrict blood flow to such as extent that surgery is necessary to restore circulation. In severe cases, it can even result in amputation. Pieces of plaque can even break off and travel through the circulatory system resulting in a heart attack or stroke.
