The carotid Doppler ultrasound is used to assess your risk of stroke. You may be at increased risk if one or more of the following applies to you:

• Family history of stroke
• High blood pressure
• Known heart disease
• High cholesterol
• A smoker
• Heavy alcohol consumption
• Overweight

Each year over 130,000 people in England and Wales have a stroke. Of those about a third are likely to die within the first 10 days, about a third are likely to make a recovery within one month and about a third are likely to be left with a long-term disability.

The brain is supplied with blood by the carotid arteries in the neck. Fatty deposits (plaque) laid down in the wall of these arteries can sometimes build up and obstruct the blood flow. Stroke occurs when either a clot occurs and stops the blood supply to the brain, or blood vessels around the brain burst causing bleeding. These both cause damage and destruction to the brain tissue, and can result in paralysis, loss of cognitive function and ability to speak, read or write, or in some cases death.

The carotid Doppler ultrasound is a painless and non-invasive procedure that precisely measures the extent of thickness of any plaque build-up within the carotid arteries. Lifestyle changes or medication may be recommended for any narrowing (stenosis) that is detected, or in more severe cases a surgical procedure to remove the blockage.

Because of the similarities between the causes of heart disease and stroke, those with known atherosclerosis (heart disease) are automatically at increased risk of stroke. It may therefore be worth considering combining this ultrasound with an EBCT heart scan for a more comprehensive investigation. Combining Scans

there is no preparation for the scan and you remain fully clothed throughout. The scan takes around 15 minutes to perform.