What Does a Carotid Ultrasound Show?
A carotid ultrasound can show whether buildup of a
fatty material called plaque has narrowed one or both of your carotid arteries
and reduced blood flow to your brain.
The illustration shows a normal
artery with normal blood flow (figure A) and an artery containing plaque
buildup (figure B).
If your carotid arteries are narrowed by plaque, you
may be at risk for having a
stroke. That risk depends on how much of your artery is
blocked and how much blood flow is restricted. To reduce your risk for stroke,
your doctor may recommend medical or surgical treatments to reduce or remove
the plaque buildup in your carotid arteries. |