Carotid Artery Ultrasound in Orange County: What It Checks and What to Expect

Your carotid arteries are two of the most important blood vessels in your body, and most people have never seen them. A carotid ultrasound is a quick, painless way to look at them. Here's what it checks and what the scan is like.

What are the carotid arteries?

You have one carotid artery on each side of your neck. Together they carry a large share of the blood that reaches your brain. You can feel your pulse in them just below the angle of your jaw.

Why look at them?

Over time, a fatty buildup called plaque can form inside artery walls. When plaque narrows a carotid artery, it's called carotid artery disease or carotid stenosis. Plaque in the carotid arteries is linked to stroke risk, because a narrowed artery or a piece of plaque that breaks loose can reduce blood flow to the brain.

Carotid artery disease often causes no symptoms in its early stages. That's why many people only learn about it after a test.

How a carotid ultrasound works

• You lie back comfortably on an exam table.
• A small amount of warm gel goes on the side of your neck.
• A sonographer glides a handheld probe along the artery. Sound waves create a live image on the screen.
• Doppler ultrasound measures how fast blood is moving through the artery. Changes in speed can show where an artery may be narrowed.

The scan uses no radiation and no needles. Most people find it relaxing.

What the images can show

• Whether plaque is present in the artery walls
• How much an artery may be narrowed
• How blood is flowing through each side

At ProActive Health Screening, your images are reviewed by a board-certified cardiologist and the findings go into your written report.

Who chooses to get a carotid screening?

People often consider screening if they are over 50, have a family history of stroke or heart disease, have high blood pressure or high cholesterol, smoke or used to smoke, or have diabetes. Medical guidelines differ on routine screening for people without symptoms, so it's worth discussing your own situation with your doctor.

Important: a screening is not for emergencies. If you or someone else has sudden face drooping, arm weakness, trouble speaking or vision loss, call 911 right away.

Carotid ultrasound as part of a full screening

At our Tustin clinic, the carotid ultrasound is one of four screenings in a single 60-minute visit, along with an EKG, an abdominal aorta ultrasound and an ABI circulation test. See the full visit, step by step.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a carotid ultrasound take?

Usually 15 to 20 minutes on its own.

Do I need to prepare?

Wear a top that leaves your neck easy to reach. No fasting is needed for the carotid scan itself.

Is it safe?

Yes. Ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation.

Do I need a referral in Orange County?

Not at our clinic. You can book online directly.

Curious what your carotid arteries look like? Book your screening at proactivescreen.com.

This article is for general education and isn't medical advice. Talk with your doctor about which screenings are right for you.