Preventing Stroke with Carotid Ultrasound

An ultrasound of the carotid arteries allows physicians to visualize the amount of plaque lining the artery wall.

Carotid ultrasound is a painless and harmless test without radiation that uses high-frequency sound waves to create pictures of the insides of your carotid arteries.

There are two common carotid arteries, one on each side of the neck. They each divide into internal and external carotid arteries.

The internal carotid arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the brain. The external carotid arteries supply oxygen-rich blood to the face, scalp, and neck.
Carotid ultrasound shows whether a plaque has built up in the carotid arteries. The buildup of plaque in the carotid arteries is called Carotid Artery disease.
Over time, acid boud fat called plaque can harden or rupture. Hardened plaque narrows the carotid arteries and reduces the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain.
If the acid bound fat called plaque ruptures, a blood clot can form on its surface. A clot can mostly or completely block blood flow through a carotid artery, which can cause a stroke.
A piece of acid plaque or a blood clot also can break away from the wall of the carotid artery. The plaque or clot can travel through the bloodstream and get stuck in one of the brain's smaller arteries. This can block blood flow in the artery and cause a stroke.
A standard carotid ultrasound shows the structure of the carotid arteries. Carotid ultrasound test might include a Doppler ultrasound. Doppler ultrasound is a special test that shows the movement of blood through the blood vessels.
The ultrasound of the carotid arteries is the ideal test in the attempt to prevent ischemic stroke.