What is a vascular ultrasound?
Vascular ultrasounds are noninvasive imaging tests that use high-frequency sound waves to create images, also known as sonograms, of your arteries and veins. Also called vascular sonography, it reveals the movement and structure of your internal organs and how blood flows within your vessels.
Your vascular system is made up of an intricate system of blood vessels that bring blood to and from vital organs, including your heart and brain. Vascular ultrasounds can help you and your physician identify vascular diseases that increase your risk for heart attacks, strokes and other serious conditions, allowing you to be proactive about your health.
When is a vascular ultrasound performed?
Your provider may recommend vascular ultrasound if you have symptoms of the following conditions:
- Atherosclerosis, when the arteries become narrowed and hardened due to the buildup of plaque
- Blood clots
- Carotid artery disease
- Carotid artery stenosis, the narrowing of one or both carotid arteries
- Deep vein thrombosis or leg swelling
- Abdominal aortic aneurysms
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
- Peripheral vascular disease (PVD)
- Varicose veins
You may also need ultrasound imaging if your doctor wants to:
- Assess whether a treatment or procedure is treating your condition effectively
- Help determine whether you may benefit from a treatment such as angioplasty
- Monitor blood flow to organs and tissues
Types of vascular ultrasound
Depending on your symptoms, your doctor may recommend one or more of the following vascular ultrasounds:
Aortic ultrasound
An aortic ultrasound produces a sonogram that can help your doctor determine the size of your aorta, a large artery that carries blood from your heart to the rest of your body. The images can detect aneurysms, or bulges, that can develop in the abdomen (abdominal aortic aneurysms) or chest (thoracic aortic aneurysms). These scans can also help your doctor monitor the growth of previously identified aneurysms.
Carotid ultrasound
A carotid ultrasound, also known as a carotid artery sonogram, can help your doctor better understand whether carotid artery stenosis is increasing your risk of a stroke. The carotid arteries are the main arteries responsible for supplying blood to your brain, and narrowing may prevent oxygen-rich blood from reaching your brain.
Venous ultrasound
A venous ultrasound, also known as a venous sonogram, assesses blood flow to the legs to detect deep vein thrombosis. Deep vein thrombosis can cause severe, even fatal, complications, and a sonogram allows you to be proactive about treating these blood clots.
Ankle brachial index (ABI)
An ankle-brachial index (ABI) test measures blood pressure in your arms and legs. It helps your provider determine whether narrowing or a blockage in an artery or blood vessel is reducing blood flow to your extremities.
What to expect with vascular ultrasound
Before a vascular ultrasound
Vascular ultrasounds don’t require much special preparation. You may receive instructions specific to your test, but in general, you may need to:
- Avoid eating or drinking for a few hours before your test.
- Take any medications as prescribed.
- Wear a two-piece outfit (no dresses, jumpsuits or overalls).
During a vascular ultrasound
Before your exam begins, a sonographer will place gel on the area being examined. Then, they’ll use a device called a transducer that sends sound waves through your skin. These sound waves return to the transducer, and a computer translates them into images that give your provider a clear view of issues in your aorta, carotid arteries and veins.
Aorta and venous ultrasounds take about one hour. A carotid ultrasound takes about 30 minutes.
After a vascular ultrasound
After the exam, the technologist will wipe away any residual gel. You can return to work or other activities immediately after the ultrasound.The results
After your ultrasound, your sonographer will send your images to your referring physician, who will review your results and compare them with any previous tests you’ve had.
Based on the results, your doctor may recommend other tests to confirm a diagnosis. If the ultrasound leads to a diagnosis or reveals a problem, you and your physician can work together on a treatment plan.
Find a location near you
Vascular ultrasounds are available at Baylor Scott & White locations across Central and North Texas. If your ultrasound leads to a diagnosis, you can access comprehensive vascular care at a location convenient to you.
AccentCare - Fort Worth
3880 Hulen St , Fort Worth, TX, 76107
Call
817.796.7160
AccentCare Home Health of Brenham
526 W Main St , Brenham, TX, 77833
Call
800.585.3171
AccentCare Home Health of College Station
119 Medical Park Lane Ste C, Huntsville, TX, 77340
Call
866.840.7201
AccentCare Home Health of College Station
1605 Rock Prairie Rd Ste 206, College Station, TX, 77845
Call
800.423.9654
AccentCare Home Health Of Denton
225 W. Mulberry St. Ste A, Denton, TX, 76201
Call
940.891.1161
AccentCare Home Health Of Desoto
911 York Drive Ste 203, DeSoto, TX, 75115
Call
214.307.7300
AccentCare Home Health Of Fort Worth (Arlington)
700 Highlander Blvd Ste 205, Arlington, TX, 76015
Call
817.796.7160
AccentCare Home Health of Huntsville
122 Medical Park Lane B , Huntsville, TX, 77340
Call
866.840.7201
AccentCare Home Health of Marble Falls
1100 Mission Hills Dr Ste 100, Marble Falls, TX, 78654
Call
830.798.8272
AccentCare Home Health Of McKinney
6800 Weiskopf Ave Ste 100, McKinney, TX, 75070
Call
972.569.8157
AccentCare Home Health Of Taylor (Hutto)
567 Chris Kelley Blvd Ste 201, Hutto, TX, 78634
Call
512.755.8005
AccentCare Home Health Of Temple
3809 S General Bruce Dr Ste 105B, Temple, TX, 76502
Call
254.724.4090
AccentCare Home Health Of Waco
8300 Central Park Dr Ste A, Waco, TX, 76712
Call
254.755.6179
AdventHealth Central Texas
2201 S Clear Creek Rd , Killeen, TX, 76549
Call
254.526.7523
Andrews Women's Hospital at Baylor Scott & White - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Call
817.926.2544
Baylor Scott & White - Hillcrest Infectious Disease Clinic
50 Hillcrest Medical Blvd MOB1, Ste 104, Waco, TX, 76712
Call
254.202.7225
Baylor Scott & White - Plano Brain and Spine Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 810, Plano, TX, 75093
Call
469.814.2464
Baylor Scott & White - Texas Brain and Spine Institute
900 Scott and White Dr , College Station, TX, 77845
Call
979.207.7400
Closed
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White - Texas Brain and Spine Institute - Huntsville
122 Medical Park Ln Ste A, Huntsville, TX, 77340
Call
979.207.7400
Baylor Scott & White - The Brenham Clinic
600 N Park St , Brenham, TX, 77833
Call
979.337.5800
Closed
- Monday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 7:30 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White 65+ Clinic
4716 Alliance Blvd Ste 500, Plano, TX, 75093
Call
469.800.5500
Closed
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Cardiac Imaging Specialists
1100 Allied Dr , Plano, TX, 75093
Call
469.800.6419
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Cardiovascular and Imaging Consultants
4708 Alliance Blvd Ste 450, Plano, TX, 75093
Call
469.800.5260
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Digestive Care
3434 Swiss Ave Ste 200, Dallas, TX, 75204
Call
972.817.6980
Closed
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart and Lung Disease Center - Fort Worth
1420 8th Ave Ste 103, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Call
817.922.2273
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd , Anna, TX, 75409
Call
469.326.2636
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Decatur
2401 S FM 51 Ste 200, Decatur, TX, 76234
Call
940.627.0044
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Denton
3333 Colorado Blvd , Denton, TX, 76210
Call
940.627.0044
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Idabel, OK
4 SE Avenue A , Idabel, OK, 74745
Call
580.208.2700
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Keller (Satellite)
3124 N Tarrant Pkwy Ste 204, Keller, TX, 76177
Call
817.618.2525
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - McKinney (Satellite)
5236 W University Dr Ste 4450, McKinney, TX, 75482
Call
469.326.2636
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Mt Pleasant (Satellite)
1011 N Jefferson Ave , Mt Pleasant, TX, 75455
Call
903.717.8816
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Paris
875 S Collegiate Dr , Paris, TX, 75462
Call
903.785.8857
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Plano
4716 Dexter Dr Ste 100, Plano, TX, 75093
Call
469.326.2636
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sherman Sycamore (Satellite)
203 E Sycamore St , Sherman, TX, 75090
Call
469.326.2636
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
Call
903.885.3059
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care – Sherman Highland (Satellite)
300 N Highland Ave , Sherman, TX, 75092
Call
469.326.2636
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Irving
2001 N MacArthur Blvd Bldg 1, Ste 360, Irving, TX, 75061
Call
972.990.4200
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Abilene
1219 E South 11th St Ste B2, Abilene, TX, 79602
Call
877.634.0028
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Amarillo
1901 Medi Park Dr Ste 2051, Amarillo, TX, 79106
Call
877.634.0028
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
Call
214.820.6856
Closed
- Monday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
Call
877.634.0028
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Lubbock
3711 22nd St Ste B, Lubbock, TX, 79410
Call
877.634.0028
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Midland/Odessa
420 E 6th St Ste 102, Odessa, TX, 79761
Call
877.634.0028
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
Call
877.634.0028
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Waxahachie
2360 N Interstate 35E MOB 2, Ste 310, Waxahachie, TX, 75165
Call
214.820.6856
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Specialists - Fort Worth
1250 8th Ave Ste 200, Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Call
817.912.8270
Closed
- Monday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Lung Disease Specialists - Dallas
3410 Worth St Ste 250, Dallas, TX, 75246
Call
214.820.6856
Closed
- Monday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White All Saints Medical Center - Fort Worth
1400 8th Ave , Fort Worth, TX, 76104
Baylor Scott & White Ambulatory Endoscopy Center
4708 Alliance Blvd Pavilion I, Ste 210, Plano, TX, 75093
Call
469.800.6021
Closed
- Monday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 3:00 pm
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