Carotid Ultrasound Imaging And Evaluating Your Stroke Risk

Learning whether you are risk for stroke is very important. If your doctor suspects you may be at risk of having a stroke, he or she will likely send you to have a process known as a carotid ultrasound. This is a painless procedure which can accurately determine your risk of stroke by measuring plaque levels in two veins (the carotid arteries) on your neck. Plaque can build up in your arteries over many years, and consists of fat, minerals and other substances that are carried in the blood. If the build up is too severe, the arteries will become quite narrow and you will be at a high risk of having a stroke and other health problems.

A carotid ultrasound will not only determine whether you are at risk of a stroke, but can also tell whether you need to start following preventive measures even if your current risk of stroke is not very high. The procedure itself is completely painless and similar to the ultrasound process that a woman undergoes during pregnancy.

In general, the test should take less than thirty minutes and requires little preparation before hand. During the test itself, you will generally lie on your back on an exam table while the ultrasound technician runs a device called a transducer over several points of your neck. The transducer will send and receive ultrasound waves to the ultrasound machine, and the results will be displayed on a video screen during the process. After the carotid ultrasound is completed, you should be able to return to your normal activities right away.

You will likely find it difficult to decipher the images from the ultrasound yourself. After the technician and physician has examined the images, however, he or she should be able to have a more informed discussion with you regarding your risk of having a stroke and needed precautions or actions that need to be taken based on this risk level. If a significant level of plaque is found in your arteries, you will not necessarily be destined to have a stroke. Actions can be taken now to both reduce plaque buildup as well as prevent more buildup in your arteries in the future.

A stroke is a debilitating disease, causing major impairments in mobility, the ability to walk and more. Fortunately, modern technology in the form of a carotid ultrasound can help prevent a stroke before it happens and direct people towards preventive measures and lifestyle changes when needed.

If you find the process of a carotid ultrasound interesting, you might also want to learn more about becoming an ultrasound tech, and you can visit this site to learn more: ultrasound technician training.

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