WHAT IS A CAROTID DUPLEX?

 

A carotid duplex scan is a simple

 and painless test that combines

 two types of ultrasound to look

for blockages in your carotid

arteries. An ultrasound is a type

of scan that uses sound waves to

 produce a picture of the inside of

 your body. Your carotid arteries

are located along both sides of

your neck. Blocked carotid

arteries are a major risk factor

 for stroke.

 

The two types of ultrasound used

 in a carotid duplex scan are

 conventional ultrasound and

Doppler ultrasound. Conventional,

 or B-mode, ultrasound uses sound

 waves that bounce off blood

vessels to provide a picture of the

structure of your blood vessel.

 Doppler ultrasound uses sound

 waves that track moving objects.

This allows your doctor to see how

 your blood is moving through your

 blood vessels.

 

Other names for a carotid

duplex scan are:

 

carotid artery duplex scan

 

carotid ultrasound

 

vascular ultrasound

 

carotid artery Doppler sonography

 

Carotid artery disease is a major risk

 factor for stroke. The buildup of

 cholesterol plaques in your carotid

 arteries can create blood clots. If

these clots break off, they can

travel to your brain and cause a

stroke.

 

The first symptom of carotid artery

 disease is often a stroke or

ministroke. Some early warning

 symptoms of a stroke are:

 

weakness, numbness, or tingling

on one side of your body or in

your arm or leg

 

an inability to move your

arm or leg

 

an inability to speak clearly,

or having garbled speech

 

an inability to see in one eye,

or tunnel vision

 

See your doctor immediately if

you experience any of these

warning signs, even if they go

away. It could mean that you’ve

had a stroke or that you’re about

to have one.

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