I tell everyone experiencing this issue to at least get this test done from your primary care physician to ensure blood flow issues. I also recommend a keto diet to lose a lot of that excess water retention (and diuretics for a few days if needed).
I don't know much about this web site, but I found the article regarding the Keto Diet interesting. I know it is popular right now. The keto diet, explained
www.excelmale.com
I would not start HCG yet.
Ankle-brachial index (ABI): a painless exam that compares the blood pressure in your feet to the blood pressure in your arms to determine how well your blood is flowing. This inexpensive test takes only a few minutes and can be performed by your healthcare professional as part of a routine exam. Normally, the ankle pressure is at least 90 percent of the arm pressure, but with severe narrowing it may be less than 50 percent.
The Ankle-Brachial Index (ABI) is a non-invasive diagnostic tool used predominantly for detecting Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD), a condition characterized by narrowing of arteries, which reduces blood flow to the arms and legs[
2][
3]. In addition to its role in diagnosing PAD, the ABI has also been shown to be a predictor of mortality and adverse cardiovascular events, independently of traditional cardiovascular risk factors[
3].
The ABI is calculated by dividing the systolic blood pressure at the ankle by the systolic blood pressure at the arm[
1][
3]. The blood pressure values are taken from both arms and both ankles, typically focusing on systolic values[
4]. This test is performed after the patient has been at rest in the supine position for at least 10 minutes[
3].
The ABI results are interpreted as follows:
- An ABI of 1.0-1.4 is considered normal.
- An ABI of less than 0.9 suggests the presence of PAD. This indicates that there is significant narrowing or blockage of the arteries in the legs, leading to reduced blood flow[5].
- An ABI of 0.9-1.0 is considered borderline for PAD.
- An ABI greater than 1.4 might indicate calcified and stiff arteries, a condition often seen in patients with diabetes or renal disease. In such cases, the vessels are so hard that they resist compression, leading to falsely high systolic pressure measurements at the ankles and thus an elevated ABI[7].
In addition to the ABI values, waveforms obtained during the measurement can provide further information about the state of the peripheral circulation, although interpreting these requires specific expertise[
7].
The ABI test is particularly advised for smokers over 50 years old, diabetics over 50, and all patients over 70[
3]. It is also important for those with symptoms of PAD, which include intermittent leg pain or cramping, slow-healing leg wounds, and legs that feel colder or have changed color[
8].
It is worth noting that the ABI is a valuable tool for tracking the progress of treatment
