Carotid Artery Ultrasound

The carotid arteries are the two main vessels in the neck that carry blood to the head and brain. An ultrasound of the carotid arteries is a noninvasive, painless test that will help your doctor tell if there any blockages obstructing the blood flow to the brain. A significant number of strokes are caused by blockages and narrowing of the carotid arteries.

Before the Test

Please wear a shirt or blouse with an open collar. Turtleneck sweaters may need to be removed for the test.

During the Test

You will be asked to lie quietly while a technologist moves a small instrument called a transducer over your neck. During the Doppler portion of the test you will hear the sounds of your blood flow and your heartbeat. The resulting images are recorded and stored in your record. The procedure takes approximately 30 minutes.

After the Test

After the procedure you may leave without restrictions. There are no known risks from the use of ultrasound for medical diagnosis.