Carotid Ultrasound/Doppler near Sunnyside, NY

This painless test uses high-frequency sound waves in order to create pictures of the inside of a patient’s carotid arteries. These arteries are located on each side of your neck and are divided into both internal and external parts. The internal part supplies oxygen-rich blood to the brain, while the external carries it to the face and neck. 

This type of test will show whether plaque, a waxy substance, is built up in these arteries. If left undetected, it can harden or rupture. Plaque itself reduces the flow of blood to the brain, which can be life-threatening. A rupture can lead to a blood clot, and in turn, a stroke. 

During this type of ultrasound, the structure of the arteries is evaluated. A doctor may also suggest a Doppler ultrasound where the movement of the blood through the blood vessels is also looked at closely. In order to assess one’s blood flow problem, both tests may need to be administered.