Carotid Doppler Ultrasound
A carotid artery ultrasound exam is a test that looks for narrowings in the carotid arteries in the neck. This test can find blockages, plaques, and aneurysms in the arteries. The ultrasound can show the arteries very clearly and is good at finding problems with blood flow. The main causes of stroke are the buildup of plaque, blockages in blood flow, and plaque breaking apart. This test also measures how thick the walls of the arteries are, which is a simple and inexpensive way to check for future heart problems. The ultrasound can also detect other issues with blood vessels using a special technology called Doppler. It is also used to screen people who already have certain conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes, which increase their risk of stroke. Even if these individuals don't have any signs of plaque buildup, regularly checking their carotid arteries can still be beneficial.
