Carotid colour Doppler – in brief
| What is examined | Carotid arteries – the blood vessels of the neck that supply the brain |
|---|---|
| What the examination reveals | Narrowing, blockage and dilation of the neck arteries |
| Method | Colour Doppler ultrasound examination, painless |
| Who is it recommended for | For people over 55 and those with risk factors: smoking, high blood lipids, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity |
What is a carotid colour Doppler?
A stroke most often does not happen “suddenly”. In a large number of cases, the problem develops over years – silently, without clear warnings. That is why timely diagnosis is key, especially when we know that the blood vessels of the neck are among the most important pathways supplying the brain with oxygen. One simple, painless and reliable way to check their condition is an ultrasound scan of the carotid arteries. It is precisely this that enables us to detect changes that may pose a risk in time and to react before serious consequences occur. The carotids – the arteries that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to the brain – are easily accessible for diagnosis and treatment. A colour Doppler examination of the carotids is an ultrasound scan of the neck arteries. This examination can reveal: blockage, narrowing and dilation of the neck arteries, which can be the cause of a stroke. Unfortunately, in a large number of cases there are no clear symptoms heralding a stroke. Carotid blockage is in a large number of cases the main cause of a stroke, and therefore preventative examinations are of utmost importance. The examination is recommended for everyone over the age of 55, particularly people with risk factors.
You can view the prices of ultrasound and Doppler scans in the price list for rheumatology, physical therapy and ultrasound.
Carotid colour Doppler scan
What are the risk factors for carotid artery blockage?
- Inherited vascular diseases
- Smoking
- High blood lipid levels
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Obesity, insufficient physical activity
What are the symptoms that indicate the need for a carotid colour Doppler ultrasound?
Only a small number of people experience the characteristic symptoms, and they serve as an alarm that one should consult a doctor:
- Temporary, short-lived loss of function (weakness or paralysis of one side of the body)
- Weakness and numbness in the arms or legs
- Facial numbness
- Sudden visual disturbance
- Brief loss of speech
- Episodes of impaired consciousness, dizziness
- Difficulty concentrating
Regular follow-up ultrasound scans are essential for the risk groups listed above, even if the person does not experience any symptoms.
