Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) is a silent killer and In view of the raising trend in the atherosclerotic heart disease and syndrome X in the Indian population the prevalence of the peripheral arterial disease (PAD)  is likely to register similar increase [1,2]. The mortality and morbidity of the peripheral arterial disease is comparable to that caused by the coronary artery disease, especially so, when the patient presents with Critical limb ischemia [3]. Since the peripheral arteries, unlike, the coronary and cerebral arteries are not end arteries, adequate time is likely to result in development of collaterals [4]. Early detection of the peripheral arterial disease, especially in the asymptomatic stage is likely to prevent and delay the consequences of the disease, through simple measures like life style modification, simple clinical tests,pharmacological interventions etc. Thus early detection of the Peripheral vascular disease will reduce the Public health expenditure involved in treating the disease and prevents the complications, saves limbs and life [6]. Though, Doppler evaluation of the peripheral arterial system is eminently suitable non- invasive technique for early detection and screening for peripheral vascular diseases [7] but has the fo drawback of being costly and hence unaffordable by the middle income group and poor patient population. Not freely available at the PHC and RHC level and requires technical expertise Ankle brachial index (ABI) is a reliable method for early detection and screening Of the peripheral vascular diseases, on account of It being non invasivec,can be undertaken in the OPD it self. Equipment to measure Ankle brachial index is cheap and can be done with the  minimal technical skill even by a Para medical worker with adequate training. The present study is to evaluate the role of ABI in screening for the prevalence of peripheral arterial diseases in asymptomatic patients at risk attending the general OPD at Narayana Medical College hospital in Nellore, to estimate the severity of the same in the asymptomatic and symptomatic patients.And To provide the suitable preventive health education to the individuals found to have risk factors for peripheral arterial diseases.

Keywords: Peripheral Vascular Disease; Ankle Brachial Index.