Vascular Ultrasounds

What are vascular ultrasounds?

A vascular ultrasound is a vascular imaging test that uses sound waves to produce an image of structures in your body, specifically the veins and arteries. Cardiologists frequently use ultrasound imaging because it shows blood flow in real-time, unlike other imaging tests. 

During an ultrasound imaging test, soundwaves travel through your tissues and bounce off the various structures inside your body. The echoes of the sound waves reflect off blood cells and other structures before traveling back to the transducer (handheld device), which displays an image on a nearby screen. 

Vascular ultrasounds evaluate blood flow in your veins and arteries. Palm Beach Heart & Vascular also offers carotid artery doppler exams, or carotid dopplers, to evaluate blood flow in the large arteries in your neck. Those arteries supply the brain with blood, so their function is essential. 

When do I need a vascular ultrasound?

Vascular ultrasounds can help your providers at Palm Beach Heart & Vascular diagnose and treat a wide variety of venous and arterial complications. During the 30-90 minute test, your provider can examine:

• Blood flow into the brain
• Blood flow into a transplanted organ
• Blood clots in the arms or legs
• Leaky valves in the veins of your legs
• A stent placed during a minimally invasive procedure
• Areas where your veins or arteries are getting narrow

You may need a vascular ultrasound as part of the planning process before a treatment, or you may need a vascular ultrasound to evaluate the success of a procedure you’ve recently had. 

How should I prepare for a vascular ultrasound? 

There isn’t much you need to do to prepare for a vascular ultrasound as the test is noninvasive and doesn’t require anesthesia. While you won’t have to give up any specific foods or drinks, and you don’t have to fast before the procedure, Palm Beach Heart & Vascular may give you some recommendations like arriving for your appointment without jewelry on. 

Are there any possible side effects from a vascular ultrasound?

As a simple and noninvasive diagnostic procedure, a vascular ultrasound doesn’t cause any side effects or complications. You can go about your day as usual right away. 

X-rays, an imaging test that most people are familiar with, expose you to a small amount of radiation which is harmful in large quantities. That is not the case with ultrasound imaging, which is safe even for pregnant women. 

To schedule a consultation for a vascular ultrasound, call Palm Beach Heart & Vascular or book an appointment online today.