Carotid Doppler Ultrasound
Noninvasive Neurological Testing in Maryland
A painless, noninvasive, in-office procedure, a carotid Doppler ultrasound is a safe way for patients to be examined for blood flow to the brain from the carotid arteries. Using soundwaves, a carotid Doppler ultrasound helps check to see if there are narrowing arteries or blocked passages in your arteries that may affect blood flow.
Most commonly used for stroke risk assessment, a carotid Doppler ultrasound helps to determine treatments to alleviate the possibility of a stroke for people with illnesses like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, and heart disease.
Neurological Medicine, P.A. offers carotid Doppler ultrasounds at both of our locations: Greenbelt, MD and Laurel, MD. You can request an appointment online or call our offices to discuss what neurological test will best help with your condition.
What is a Carotid Doppler Ultrasound
A carotid Doppler ultrasound is a noninvasive, pain-free neurological test that checks the blood flow through the carotid arteries to the brain. Using sound waves via an ultrasound, trained neurologists and physicians can evaluate if there is a narrowing of the carotid arteries due to a build-up of plaque or any blockages for either carotid artery on each side of the neck.
These arteries deliver blood from the heart to the brain and are important to examine if patients are at risk of stroke. By assessing these passages, your physician can best advise on treatment options for you and your condition that best protect your overall health.
How Can a Carotid Doppler Ultrasound Help
The carotid Doppler ultrasound is recommended for patients who are at risk of stroke. This may be due to trauma, illnesses, family history, or side effects of other treatments. By knowing if there is a narrowing in the arteries or any signs of blockages, your physician can best recommend what treatment options will work for you.
The carotid Doppler test will be able to determine if there is a build-up of plaque in the arteries and at what risk you are for this narrowing to cause a stroke or other health problems. It provides more definitive answers that neurologists can help turn into constructive treatment plans.
Carotid Doppler Ultrasounds are commonly recommended due to the following conditions:
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Family History of Stroke or Heart Disease
- Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA)
- Recent Stroke
- Abnormal Sounds in the Carotid Arteries (detected using a stethoscope)
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Hardening of the Arteries
What to Expect During a Carotid Doppler Test
There are no special requirements to prepare for your carotid Doppler ultrasound. You will be asked to wear a loose-fitting shirt with no collar, no necklaces, and no dangling jewelry. Unless otherwise instructed, you can take all medications as normal and eat and drink as normal the morning of the procedure.
You will be asked to sit back or lie down on an exam table during the procedure and be still. A gel will be applied to the side of the neck over the carotid arteries to help with the ultrasound. Using a small, handheld device called a transducer, the transducer will be gently pressed onto the skin to emit the soundwaves and monitor the response.
There is no pain with the procedure, you will feel only a light pressure of the device on the skin. You may hear the sound of the blood moving through the vessels. The findings will be transcribed into a graph on the monitor. The test takes about 30 minutes to an hour.
After the exam, the gel will be removed and you can resume activities as normal until the results are ready to be discussed.
Why Choose Neurological Medicine, P.A. for Carotid Doppler Testing
Our neurological practice specializes in noninvasive testing for neurological conditions and treatments. We aim to make scheduling easy and reduce stress throughout this process as much as possible. Our neurologists help to consult on the findings of each test and provide insight as to the best treatments moving forward that can protect your health.
We’ve been a highly-rated neurological practice since 1975, providing compassionate care to all patients. With two offices in Maryland, we make it easy to visit our neurologists and get the tests you need. Move forward with answers so you can better protect your health.
Easy Scheduling
Expert Consults
Compassionate Care
Noninvasive Tests
Schedule Your Carotid Doppler Examination With Us
New patients can call either our Greenbelt or Laurel office to set up their appointment. You may also submit a request online and get a confirmation back from our administrative staff with your confirmed date and time.
Patients are asked to have their government issued ID, medical records, copies of medications, referrals, and insurance information. All new patient documentation can be found on our Patient Resource page. We aim to best serve you by getting as much paperwork in advance as possible. If you have any concerns, please reach out as soon as possible before your exam.
We are open Monday through Friday, 7am to 4pm.
Request New Appointment
If you are a new or previous patient, inquire about an appointment date via phone, email, or our contact form.
Ask Us Your Questions and Concerns
Give us a call regarding insurance, services, and more. Physicians can send us referrals here.
Carotid Doppler FAQ
What is a carotid Doppler test?
A carotid Doppler test assesses the state of your carotid arteries, which travel blood from the heart to the brain. It uses soundwaves to detect any narrowing of the arteries or blockages that could precede a stroke.
How long does it take for a carotid Doppler?
A Carotid Doppler Ultrasound takes between 30 minutes to an hour on average for most patients.
Why would a doctor order a carotid Doppler?
Your doctor may ask for a carotid Doppler test due to the risk of stroke. This can be related to high cholesterol, blood pressure, family history, medication side effects, or other interferences like recent surgeries or trauma.
What does a carotid ultrasound show?
The carotid ultrasound shows if there is plaque build-up in the arteries that may narrow the arteries or cause blockages. It uses sound waves to detect plaque build-up.