Carotid artery ultrasound is a sonogram of the major arteries that supply the human brain. Atherosclerotic plaque may gradually develop in these vessels and may cause stroke (also called CVA or TIA). Given the safety of ultrasound technique (i.e., no radiation exposure), it is considered to be the initial diagnostic test in patients who are suspected to have carotid artery disease. The test takes approximately 20 to 40 minutes to complete and requires no preparations. It will be interpreted by a highly trained NSCA physician and the report is sent to the patient’s primary care doctor in the following 24 hours.

Some of the common indications for carotid artery ultrasound include: history of stroke, carotid artery brue (a sound heard using a stethoscope during physical examination), and transient visual changes in one eye (“tunnel vision”). Presence of plaque in carotid arteries is a part of peripheral arterial pathology, and is considered to be a coronary artery disease equivalent; such a patient must be considered to be at higher risk of cardiac events (such as heart attack) and should be treated accordingly. Frequently, if the carotid artery is over 70% blocked, a more thorough test, such as CTA or MRA, is ordered to further evaluate the blockage.