

Treating mild blockages might require lifestyle and diet changes and blood-thinning medications.įor more serious blockages, you might need a surgical procedure to remove built-up plaque and clear the blockages. If you have signs of carotid artery disease or other condition that affects blood flow to your brain, he customizes a plan to treat it. Perloff can review your results during the same visit. How long does it take to get the results of a carotid ultrasound?īecause the carotid ultrasound technology produces images in real-time, Dr. Perloff watches the monitor to evaluate how well blood is flowing through your arteries. These sound waves bounce off the internal structures and send real-time images of your arteries to an external monitor. The transducer delivers sound waves into your neck. Perloff applies a gel over the carotid arteries in your neck before placing a handheld transducer over the area. Perloff performs in-office.ĭuring your procedure, you can expect to lie comfortably on an exam table. What happens during a carotid ultrasound?Ī carotid ultrasound is a non-invasive and painless procedure Dr. Perloff the opportunity to assess the severity of your condition. The ultrasound can show blockages in your carotid arteries, and they provide Dr. These symptoms tend to come on suddenly and can be a warning sign of a transient ischemic attack (TIA), a temporary loss of blood flow to your brain. Symptoms that may require a diagnostic evaluation with a carotid ultrasound include: If left untreated, this condition can increase your risk for a stroke and other serious heart complications. You might need a carotid ultrasound if you have symptoms of carotid artery disease, a condition where plaque builds up in your arteries and interferes with blood flow to your brain. These arteries sit on both sides of your neck and are responsible for delivering blood to your brain and head. A carotid ultrasound is a non-invasive diagnostic test that uses sound waves to produce images of the inside of your carotid arteries.
