Carotid Doppler at Wessex Hospital

What is a carotid Doppler?

A carotid Doppler is a painless ultrasound test used to measure the flow of blood through your carotid arteries. These two main arteries supply blood and oxygen to the head and neck. Over time, plaque buildup in the carotid arteries can lead to narrowing, causing carotid artery disease, which restricts blood flow and may result in a stroke.

Your doctor may recommend a carotid Doppler test if you have had a previous stroke or if they believe you may be at risk of having one.

What happens during a carotid Doppler?

A carotid Doppler lasts 15-30 minutes and uses an ultrasound scanner. During the scan, a clear gel is applied to both sides of your neck and a probe is then pressed against your skin and moved back and forth over your neck. Sound waves from the probe bounce off your arteries and are captured by a microphone, which sends them to a computer. The computer measures these sound waves and their frequency changes. Narrowed areas of the artery produce different echoes than normal areas.

The results of your carotid Doppler test will be recorded and analyzed by a consultant radiologist, and your doctor should receive the results within a few days.