Doppler Ultrasound
Reviewed
A Doppler ultrasound uses sound waves to show how well blood flows through your blood vessels. It can examine blood flow in many parts of your body, including your heart, arms, legs, neck, brain, and abdomen. The test helps diagnose narrowed arteries, blood clots, aneurysms, heart valve diseases, congenital heart defects, deep vein thrombosis, peripheral arterial disease, varicose veins, carotid artery disease, and other conditions. It is also used to check blood flow to a fetus during pregnancy if there are concerns. The test is performed by a sonographer who applies gel to your skin and moves a transducer over the area. You may hear whooshing sounds. For certain exams, the transducer may be placed inside the vagina, rectum, or esophagus.
Preparation and collection
Preparations depend on which part of your body is being checked. You may need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before the test, or stop smoking or using nicotine products for two hours or more before your test.
Understanding this test
Use the reference interval and units printed by the laboratory that performed the test. A result outside that interval is not a diagnosis by itself, and a result inside it does not rule out every condition. Your symptoms, history, medicines, timing, and related tests can change what the result means.
- Doppler ultrasound has not been linked to any health harms. It is generally considered safe when trained sonographers use it correctly. However, in certain cases, ultrasound can affect fluids and tissues in the body, so most medical experts recommend using it only when needed to provide important medical information.
- The accuracy of the test depends on the skill of the sonographer, the type of Doppler used, and the area of the body being examined. Results may vary based on these factors.
What to do next
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