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
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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
763.3 mi
Directions
Call
817.796.7160
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Idabel, OK
4 SE Avenue A , Idabel, OK, 74745
774.8 mi
Directions
Call
580.208.2700
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Mt Pleasant (Satellite)
1011 N Jefferson Ave , Mt Pleasant, TX, 75455
812.1 mi
Directions
Call
903.717.8816
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Paris
875 S Collegiate Dr , Paris, TX, 75462
817.2 mi
Directions
Call
903.785.8857
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac Surgery - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
831.3 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.7760
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
831.3 mi
Directions
Call
877.634.0028
Baylor Scott & White Liver Consultants of Texas - Longview
906 Judson Rd , Longview, TX, 75601
831.3 mi
Directions
Call
214.820.8500
Closed
- Monday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Tuesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Wednesday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Thursday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
- Friday: 8:30 am - 4:30 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
841.5 mi
Directions
Call
903.885.3059
Baylor Scott & White North Texas Colon and Rectal Associates - Sulphur Springs
601 Airport Rd Ste 110, Sulphur Springs, TX, 75482
841.6 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.7600
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Failure Clinic - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
863.3 mi
Directions
Call
877.634.0028
Baylor Scott & White Center for Advanced Surgery - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
863.3 mi
Directions
Call
972.817.6050
Baylor Scott & White Center for Thoracic Surgery - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75702
863.3 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.7370
Baylor Scott & White Liver Consultants of Texas - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
863.3 mi
Directions
Call
214.820.8500
Baylor Scott & White North Texas Colon and Rectal Associates - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
863.3 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.7600
Baylor Scott & White Cardiac Surgery - Tyler
1321 S Beckham Ave , Tyler, TX, 75701
863.3 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.7760
Touchstone Imaging Tyler
2019 Old Troup Hwy , Tyler, TX, 75701
863.3 mi
Directions
Call
903.526.6736
Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital
1814 Roseland Blvd Ste 100, Tyler, TX, 75701
863.8 mi
Directions
Call
903.525.3300
Glen Oaks Hospital
301 Division St , Greenville, TX, 75401
864.7 mi
Directions
Call
903.454.6000
Baylor Scott & White Surgical Hospital - Sherman
3601 N Calais St , Sherman, TX, 75090
866.9 mi
Directions
Call
903.870.0999
Baylor Scott & White Urgent Care+ Sherman
4028 N Hwy 75 , Sherman, TX, 75090
867.2 mi
Directions
Call
903.375.0800
Closed
- Monday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Texas Spine & Joint Hospital Urgent Care - Tyler
8101 S Broadway Ave , Tyler, TX, 75703
867.4 mi
Directions
Call
903.939.0920
Closed
- Monday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Tuesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Wednesday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Thursday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Saturday: 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Cardiology Consultants of Texas - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
868.2 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.3400
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 - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care Associates - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 100, Greenville, TX, 75402
868.2 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.3500
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 Primary Care Associates Pediatrics - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 110, Greenville, TX, 75402
868.2 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.3600
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 Gastroenterology - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
868.2 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.2950
Baylor Scott & White Orthopedic Associates of Dallas - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 300, Greenville, TX, 75402
868.2 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.7200
Baylor Scott & White Imaging Center - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 200, Greenville, TX, 75402
868.2 mi
Directions
Call
972.520.9600
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 Outpatient Rehabilitation - Greenville
4400 Interstate 30 W Ste 120, Greenville, TX, 75402
868.2 mi
Directions
Call
972.520.9660
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 Endoscopy Center - Sherman
1615 US-75 Ste B, Sherman, TX, 75090
868.3 mi
Directions
Call
903.437.6260
Sherman Endoscopy Center
1615 N Hwy 75 , Sherman, TX, 75090
868.3 mi
Directions
Call
903.437.6260
Baylor Scott & White Women's Care & Continence Center - Sherman
260 E Evergreen St , Sherman, TX, 75090
868.5 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.4460
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 - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Sherman Sycamore (Satellite)
203 E Sycamore St , Sherman, TX, 75090
868.5 mi
Directions
Call
469.326.2636
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Group - Sherman
230 E Sycamore St Ste 205, Sherman, TX, 75090
868.5 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.6100
Baylor Scott & White Arrhythmia Management - Sherman
230 E Sycamore St Ste 205, Sherman, TX, 75090
868.5 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.4540
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care – Sherman Highland (Satellite)
300 N Highland Ave , Sherman, TX, 75092
869.6 mi
Directions
Call
469.326.2636
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases Group - Sherman
204 Medical Dr Ste 240, Sherman, TX, 75092
870.3 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.4500
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care - Van Alstyne
250 N Collin McKinney Pkwy , Van Alstyne, TX, 75495
876.5 mi
Directions
Call
903.482.9153
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 - 4:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Anna
601 S. Ferguson Pkwy Ste 100, Anna, TX, 75409
878.3 mi
Directions
Call
945.777.3308
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - Royse City
594 W Interstate 30 , Royse City, TX, 75189
878.6 mi
Directions
Call
972.635.2401
Closed
- Monday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Tuesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Wednesday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Thursday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
- Friday: 7:00 am - 7:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Advanced Heart Care - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd , Anna, TX, 75409
878.9 mi
Directions
Call
469.326.2636
Baylor Scott & White Digestive Diseases Group - Anna
450 N Standridge Blvd Ste 104, Anna, TX, 75409
878.9 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.4500
Baylor Scott & White Texas Cardiac Associates - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
Baylor Scott & White Primary Care Associates - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
880.2 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.3670
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 Surgical Institute - Royse City
6257 FM 2642 Blvd Ste 100, Royse City, TX, 75189
880.3 mi
Directions
Call
469.800.7560
Closed
- Monday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Tuesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Wednesday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Baylor Scott & White Institute for Rehabilitation - McKinney Red Bud
1705 W University Dr Ste 119, McKinney, TX, 75069
886.6 mi
Directions
Call
972.569.8860
Baylor Scott & White Institute For Rehabilitation - McKinney Lake Forest
1705 W University Dr Ste 119, McKinney, TX, 75069
886.6 mi
Directions
Call
972.569.8860
Baylor Scott & White Institute For Rehabilitation - McKinney University
1705 W University Dr Ste 119, McKinney, TX, 75069
886.6 mi
Directions
Call
972.569.8860
Heritage Eye Center
1501 Redbud Blvd , McKinney, TX, 75069
886.8 mi
Directions
Call
972.548.0771
Baylor Scott & White The Heart Hospital - McKinney
5268 W University Dr , McKinney, TX, 75071
886.9 mi
Directions
Call
469.814.3278
The Laser Surgery Center, LLC
2600 W University Dr Ste 200, McKinney, TX, 75071
887.4 mi
Directions
Call
972.548.2015
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