Doppler Ultrasound
Reviewed
Also called: Doppler ultrasonography, vascular ultrasound
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.
Specimen: none
Why this test may be ordered
- You may need a Doppler ultrasound if you have symptoms of abnormal blood flow, such as pain, swelling, numbness, or changes in skin color in an arm or leg.
- You may need this test if you have a high risk of stroke, have had a stroke or transient ischemic attack, or have had an injury to your blood vessels.
- You may need this test if you have high blood pressure that could be caused by blocked arteries in your kidneys.
- You may need this test if you are being treated for a condition that affects blood flow, to see how much the treatment is helping.
- If you are pregnant, you may need this test if your unborn baby may be smaller than normal or if you have certain health problems such as preeclampsia or sickle cell disease.
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.
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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.
Understanding results
Your healthcare provider should interpret your Doppler ultrasound results. The meaning depends on the area tested and the type of Doppler ultrasound used.
- Normal: This result means the blood vessels that were checked looked healthy, with no narrowing or blood clots, and blood flow was normal. Limitation: The test does not use ionizing radiation, but it should only be used when medically necessary. Next step: none
- Abnormal: This result indicates that something abnormal was found in the blood vessels tested, such as narrowing, blood clots, or other conditions affecting blood flow. Limitation: The meaning of abnormal results depends on the specific area and type of Doppler ultrasound used. Next step: Talk with your provider about what your results say about your health and need for treatment.
- 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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- Your healthcare provider will tell you if you need to prepare and what to do.
- You may need to fast (not eat or drink) for several hours before the test.
- You may need to stop smoking or using products that have nicotine for two hours or more before your test, because nicotine can narrow blood vessels and change your results.