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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