The carotid doppler ultrasound is used to evaluate the blood flow through the carotid arteries and to check for narrowing of the arteries. The narrowing of the arteries could indicated a potential risk of a stroke occurring and is generally caused by a build up of fat, cholesterol, calcium and other substances that circulate around the blood stream. Early detection of narrowed carotid arteries enables doctors to begin treatments that will decrease the risk of a stroke occurring.
Your doctor may recommend that you complete the scan if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, family history of heart disease or stroke, have suffered a recent TIA or stroke
The examination is totally painless and will not require any specific preparation. The sonographer carries out with test with a small hand held device called a transducer.
The ultrasound usually takes about 30 minutes to complete.
