Objective To investigate the relationship between changes of ankle brachial index (ABI) and adverse cardiovascular events. Methods Baseline survey was conducted in 4 160 forty-year-old or older citizens living in Yunyan District of Guiyang City from May to August of 2011, which was in the way of cluster sampling to obtain their ABI and to collect information related to physical and blood biochemical examination and disease history. These citizens were conducted a follow-up survey for (39.29±1.47) months from July to December of 2014. Based on the change of ABI (ΔABI) from initial survey to follow-up survey, participants were subsequently divided into three groups: ΔABI>0.15 group,-0.15≤ΔABI≤0.15 group and ΔABI<-0.15 group. The adverse cardiovascular events during follow-up survey were compared between three groups. The risk factors affecting the adverse cardiovascular events were analyzed. Results Follow-up surveys were completed in 3 220 citizens in 3 years. The follow-up rate was 77.4%. Eighty-two new cases (2.5%) of adverse cardiovascular events were found in 3 220 cases in follow-up. The incidence rates of adverse cardiovascular events were higher inΔABI<-0.15 group compared with those of-0.15≤ΔABI≤0.15 group (8.3%vs. 2.4%, P<0.016 7). Logistic regression analysis indicated that age, hypertension history, and ΔABI<-0.15 were risk factors for adverse cardiovascular events. Exercise was the protective factor for adverse cardiovascular events. Conclusion Subjects withΔABI<-0.15 are at high risk for adverse cardiovascular events. The ΔABI can be used as a means of monitoring of adverse cardiovascular event, which provides certain forecast value for determining the possibility of adverse cardiovascular event.