Carotid Ultrasounds in Cumming and Suwanee, GA | North Atlanta Vascular Clinic

Carotid Ultrasounds Near Suwanee/Johns Creek, GA

The carotid Doppler test, also known as a carotid ultrasound, is a non-invasive and painless analysis that utilizes sound waves to detect any narrowing or thinning inside your carotid arteries. It is also used to identify potential blockages caused by plaque.

A human body has two carotid arteries located on each side of the neck. They are responsible for transferring blood from the heart to the brain. The results of a carotid ultrasound can help your doctor decide on a treatment to reduce your stroke risk.

If you or anyone in your family or a friend needs to get a carotid ultrasound done, please contact us at 770-771-5260 (North Atlanta Vascular Clinic, Suwanee/Johns Creek, GA) to book an appointment.

FAQs

A physician prescribes a carotid ultrasound for several reasons, which include the following:

Your risk of experiencing a stroke is high.
You have a blockage, also known as an occlusion, caused by a plaque, a blood clot, or a similar condition.
The narrowing of your carotid artery, known as stenosis.
Your health care provider hears an irregular sound in your artery.
You have previously had a Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA).
You have high blood pressure, high levels of cholesterol, or are a diabetes patient.

Your doctor may order a carotid ultrasound to:

Assess the flow of blood throughout the artery after surgery to eliminate plaques.
Analyze the efficiency and position of a stent.
Locate any blood clots.
Detect other carotid artery abnormalities.

Steps to do before your exam,

Fill out the new patient paperwork
Avoid smoking before your appointment for at least 2 hours.
Confirm the time and location of the exam a day before the procedure.
Two hours before the procedure, stop consuming caffeinated foods and beverages.

A carotid ultrasound generally takes about 15 to 30 minutes to complete for most individuals.

The following steps are followed:

You will need to remove any clothing and jewelry, as per the physician’s guidelines.
With your neck bent back slightly, lie on a table.
A lubricating, jelly-like material will be applied to both sides of your neck, where the carotid arteries are.
The Doppler or ultrasound wand or a transducer is rotated back and forth across the throat to detect the blood flow. This small, hand-held device records the echo from the waves rebounding from various organs, tissues, and blood cells.
The sound waves are translated into a live-action image by a computer. The healthcare professional can also use a Doppler ultrasound to translate the blood flow rate into a graph.

You will need extra tests to screen for narrowed or blocked blood vessels in other areas of the body, including:

Abdominal ultrasound: This test detects disorders affecting the blood vessels or organs in your abdominal region.
Ankle-brachial index test: This test evaluates the blood pressure between your ankle and your arm and compares it. It detects a diminished or blocked flow of blood to your legs.
Cardiac Stress test: This test illustrates how well the heart functions, e.g., during exercise, while under stress. It detects any bad blood flow to the heart.
In case of indistinct results are unclear, your doctor may recommend additional imaging tests, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and a Computerized Tomography Angiogram (CTA) scan.

Here is what happens after your test.

On a videotape, an ultrasound technician records the completed procedure.
A diagnostic healthcare provider will assess the tape to analyze blood flow. The amount and position of narrowing of the carotid arteries, if present, will also be determined.
Then the healthcare provider gives your doctor a report for further analysis.
Your test results, along with other factors determined by your condition, will determine further treatment recommendations.