Arterial – Carotid Doppler
Private carotid Doppler ultrasound at home in London for £695, assessing carotid plaque, arterial narrowing and blood flow without radiation.
Turnaround time
1 day
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Overview of the Arterial – Carotid Doppler
The Arterial – Carotid Doppler is a duplex ultrasound examination of the carotid arteries in the neck, performed at your home.
The carotid arteries provide a major supply of blood to the brain.
Atherosclerotic plaque can accumulate within these arteries and cause narrowing, known as carotid stenosis.
Duplex ultrasound combines structural imaging with Doppler measurements of blood-flow velocity.
This allows the sonographer to identify plaque, examine the arterial lumen and estimate whether significant narrowing is present.
Carotid imaging is particularly relevant after a transient ischaemic attack, or TIA, ischaemic stroke, carotid bruit or previously identified carotid disease.
It should not be viewed as a guarantee against future stroke or as a substitute for clinical cardiovascular assessment.
This service uses portable vascular ultrasound equipment and is performed as a home visit in London.
What Does the Arterial – Carotid Doppler Assess?
Common carotid arteries
Assesses the main arteries on each side of the neck.
Internal carotid arteries
Evaluates the vessels supplying a major proportion of blood flow to the brain.
External carotid arteries
Assesses the principal extracranial branches where relevant.
Carotid plaque
Identifies visible atherosclerotic deposits in the vessel walls.
Carotid stenosis
Evaluates whether plaque is narrowing the arterial lumen.
Doppler velocity
Measures blood-flow speed through different carotid segments.
Doppler waveform
Assesses the pattern and direction of arterial blood flow.
Who May Benefit From the Arterial – Carotid Doppler?
People who have experienced a TIA - Carotid stenosis can be an important possible cause.
People who have had an ischaemic stroke - Carotid assessment can form part of the vascular investigation.
People with a carotid bruit detected clinically - Duplex ultrasound can establish whether significant stenosis is present.
People with known carotid plaque or narrowing - Repeat imaging can monitor established disease.
People undergoing vascular assessment who have difficulty travelling - Home imaging can provide an alternative where clinically suitable.
People requiring follow-up after a previous carotid Doppler - Serial measurements can document stability or progression.
Symptoms and Reasons to Consider the Arterial – Carotid Doppler
Carotid narrowing frequently produces no symptoms until blood supply to the brain is affected.
Previous transient weakness or numbness affecting one side - This can occur during a TIA.
Temporary loss of vision in one eye - Amaurosis fugax can be associated with carotid disease.
Previous sudden speech disturbance - Carotid vascular disease can be relevant after a TIA or stroke.
A clinician-detected carotid bruit - Ultrasound can determine whether arterial narrowing is present.
Known carotid stenosis requiring surveillance - Doppler can monitor blood-flow changes.
A previous abnormal carotid scan - Repeat examination can provide comparison.
Sudden facial weakness, arm weakness, speech difficulty, visual loss or another new focal neurological symptom can indicate stroke or TIA and requires emergency assessment.
Do not wait for a private home scan when acute neurological symptoms are present.
How to Prepare for the Arterial – Carotid Doppler
No special dietary preparation is normally required.
This is a home-visit carotid ultrasound service.
What Happens During the Arterial – Carotid Doppler?
Is the Arterial – Carotid Doppler Safe?
Carotid Doppler uses sound waves rather than ionising radiation.
It normally requires no injections, needles or contrast.
The test is non-invasive and generally painless.
The probe applies only gentle pressure to the neck.
How to Book Your Arterial – Carotid Doppler
Choose the Arterial – Carotid Doppler
Select the home carotid vascular scan online.
Book your home visit
Provide the London address and preferred appointment.
Provide clinical details
Include previous TIA, stroke, carotid bruit or known vascular disease.
Prepare for the examination
Wear clothing that allows straightforward access to the neck.
Home Doppler scan
A vascular sonographer performs the assessment at your address.
Receive your report
The authorised carotid Doppler report is returned securely.
When Will I Receive My Results?
The current London Blood Tests turnaround is approximately 1 day after the scan.
The report can describe plaque, stenosis and Doppler flow measurements.
Significant carotid narrowing may require vascular or stroke-specialist assessment and additional CT or MR angiography.
Understanding Your Arterial – Carotid Doppler Results
A normal scan may show unobstructed carotid arteries without significant plaque or flow disturbance.
Where atherosclerotic plaque is present, the report can describe its location and whether it results in stenosis.
Blood-flow velocities are used alongside the ultrasound appearance to assess narrowing.
An abnormal carotid scan does not mean that a stroke will definitely occur.
Likewise, a normal carotid scan does not exclude every possible cause of TIA or stroke.
The cerebral circulation, heart rhythm and other vascular risk factors may require separate assessment.
What Can the Arterial – Carotid Doppler Detect?
Carotid plaque - Atherosclerotic deposits in the arterial walls can be identified.
Carotid stenosis - Narrowing can be assessed using structural and Doppler findings.
Severe arterial obstruction - Markedly reduced flow or occlusion can be demonstrated.
Abnormal Doppler velocities - Accelerated flow can indicate haemodynamically significant narrowing.
Progression of known carotid disease - Serial scans can be compared over time.
Limitations of the Arterial – Carotid Doppler
The scan does not assess all arteries inside the brain - Intracranial circulation requires other imaging.
Stroke risk cannot be predicted with certainty - Ultrasound identifies one important vascular factor.
Very high or technically difficult arterial segments can be harder to visualise - CT or MR angiography may be required.
Plaque presence alone does not determine treatment - Symptoms and stenosis severity are important.
The scan is not an emergency stroke assessment - Acute symptoms require immediate hospital care.
Why Book the Arterial – Carotid Doppler With London Blood Tests?
Carotid ultrasound at home in London - A vascular sonographer comes directly to your address.
Detailed plaque and stenosis assessment - Structural and blood-flow information are evaluated together.
No ionising radiation - Ultrasound uses sound waves.
Useful for known carotid disease - Repeat scans can monitor established narrowing.
Convenient for reduced mobility - Travel to an imaging department can be avoided where appropriate.
Professional vascular reporting - Findings can be shared with a GP or vascular specialist.
Fast reporting - Results are expected approximately 1 day after the scan.
Clear pricing - The Arterial – Carotid Doppler costs £695.
Private Arterial – Carotid Doppler Scan at Home in London
London Blood Tests provides private carotid Doppler ultrasound at home in London.
The service costs £695 and is available as a home visit only.
The carotid arteries are assessed for plaque, stenosis and altered blood flow.
The authorised report is expected approximately 1 day after imaging.