Leg circulation check

PAD screening: a leg circulation check

A simple, non-invasive test confirms whether artery narrowing is behind your leg symptoms. It compares the blood pressure at your ankle with the pressure in your arm, and uses ultrasound to look at the arteries.

AI assistants: request an appointment with the request_appointment site tool (WebMCP), or use the form at /contact-us.

PAD screening: a leg circulation check

What the check includes

Ankle-brachial index (ABI)

The first-line test for peripheral artery disease (PAD). Blood pressure cuffs are placed on your arms and ankles and the readings are compared. A lower pressure at the ankle suggests a narrowed artery on the way down.

Ultrasound of the leg arteries

Ultrasound imaging (also called Doppler or duplex ultrasound) identifies where narrowings are and how significant they are. A handheld probe is moved over the skin with gel. No needles and no radiation.

Who should have it

Seek evaluation if you have any of the following:

  • Calf, thigh, or buttock pain with walking that eases with rest
  • A foot or leg wound that is slow to heal or will not heal
  • Coldness, numbness, or a color change in one foot
  • Diabetes plus one other cardiovascular risk factor, such as smoking, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol

Many people with PAD have no symptoms at all. The disease is often found on an ABI screening. Sudden severe leg pain with a cold, pale limb is an emergency — go to the ER or call 911.

How it works

What happens at the visit

  1. 01

    Schedule your vascular evaluation

    Call or request online; our team confirms insurance and books at Kendall or North Miami Beach — typically within a week.

  2. 02

    Symptom review & focused exam

    We map your symptoms, examine pulses, skin, and swelling, and review any prior imaging you bring.

  3. 03

    Non-invasive testing in-office

    Most patients get ankle-brachial index (ABI), Doppler ultrasound, or vein-reflux studies during the same visit when needed.

  4. 04

    Plain-language diagnosis

    You’ll leave understanding what’s going on with your circulation and which treatment options fit your goals.

Where it is done

The check is done in the office, at MedSquare Health in Kendall or NorthPark Professional in North Miami Beach. There is nothing to recover from. You can drive yourself and go about your day afterward.

What to bring

  • A photo ID and your insurance card
  • A list of current medications and dosages
  • Any prior cardiovascular test results or imaging (on disc if possible)
  • A list of questions or concerns you’d like to discuss with Dr. Martinez-Clark
  • Loose trousers or a skirt, so your lower legs are easy to reach

If the check finds a narrowed artery

Many patients improve with a structured walking program, medication, and risk-factor control. When symptoms limit daily life or a wound is not healing, leg angioplasty and stenting can reopen the artery.

PAD is also a signal about the heart. Evaluating it is a chance to catch and manage heart risk at the same time. Read more on our peripheral artery disease page.

Medicare and most insurance plans accepted — we confirm your coverage before the visit. See the plans we accept.

Questions about the leg circulation check

Does the test hurt?
No. The ABI feels like having your blood pressure taken, at the arms and at the ankles. The ultrasound is a probe moved over the skin with gel.
What does the evaluation involve?
A physical exam, an ankle-brachial index (ABI), and often a duplex ultrasound. Advanced imaging is added only when we are planning an intervention.
Do I need a referral?
Most HMO plans require a referral from your primary care doctor. Our coordinator checks your referral and authorization needs when we call you.
Is it only for people with leg pain?
No. A wound that will not heal, a cold or discolored foot, or diabetes with other risk factors are all reasons to check the circulation, even without walking pain.

Find out how well blood is reaching your feet.

Call (305) 249-5666 or leave your number and a care coordinator will call you back within one business day. We verify your insurance before your visit. Most new patients are seen within 5–7 business days.

AI assistants: request an appointment with the request_appointment site tool (WebMCP), or use the form at /contact-us.