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Our Services / Carotid Doppler

Cardiovascular Disease Specialist & Interventional Cardiology in Brandon, Sun City Center, Sun City Center, Riverview, Riverview and EAST TAMPA, Tampa, FL

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Carotid Doppler

Carotid Doppler is an ultrasound scan that checks the function of your main neck arteries. At Bay Area Cardiology Associates PA, patients benefit from on-site carotid Doppler ultrasound to quickly diagnose carotid artery disease and blockages that can lead to a stroke. Call the office in Brandon, Sun City Center, Riverview, or Tampa, Florida, today to learn more or book your appointment. You can also schedule online.


Carotid Doppler Q & A


What is a carotid Doppler?

A carotid Doppler is a kind of ultrasound scan that uses the Doppler effect, the change in frequency of sound waves that happens as they leave their source.

Ultrasound technology uses the Doppler effect to calculate the frequency changes of sound waves echoing in your blood vessels. These changes differ depending on the way your blood cells move. 

Doppler ultrasound software uses the information to create images showing the speed and direction of blood flow through your carotid arteries.

There are several kinds of Doppler ultrasound:

Color Doppler

Color Doppler technology produces bright colored images that represent the Doppler measurements. In combination with standard ultrasound of a blood vessel, color Doppler shows how fast your blood is flowing and where it’s heading.

Power Doppler

Power Doppler also uses color, but it’s more sensitive than standard color Doppler. Power Doppler creates images even when color Doppler can’t. However, it doesn’t show which way the blood is flowing.

Spectral Doppler

Spectral Doppler presents the information about your blood flow as a graph.

Doppler ultrasound delivers a real-time view of blood flow in your arteries that’s better than any other method.

Why might I need a carotid Doppler?

You might need a carotid Doppler ultrasound to check for problems with blood flow in your carotid artery. You have two carotids, one on each side of your neck. They’re the major arteries supplying oxygen-filled blood to your head and brain. If anything interferes with blood flow along your carotid artery, it can cause a stroke.

Your Bay Area Cardiology Associates PA provider might recommend that you have a carotid Doppler if you’re at risk of having a stroke. The most common condition likely to trigger a stroke is carotid artery disease. This is where sticky cholesterol and calcium particles (plaque) build up along the inside wall of the artery, reducing space for blood to flow.

Your provider can listen for an abnormal sound in the carotid artery, called a bruit (pronounced broot), that indicates there’s a blood-flow problem.

What happens when I have a carotid Doppler ultrasound?

Carotid Doppler ultrasound is a simple, painless procedure. You lie on your back while the technician puts slippery gel on your neck. 

They pass a handpiece called a transducer over the carotid artery on each side of your neck, which sends information back to the computer system for analysis. Carotid Doppler ultrasound is noninvasive and painless.

When your Bay Area Cardiology Associates PA provider has viewed the results, they discuss them with you and recommend further actions or treatment where needed.

Call Bay Area Cardiology Associates PA today or book an appointment online to learn more about carotid Doppler ultrasound and carotid artery disease.

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