Carotid Ultrasound: How It Can Help Reduce Stroke Risk

Stroke is a major high-stakes health concern and can strike without warning, often leaving lasting impacts. The good news? Many strokes are preventable, especially those caused by narrowing in the arteries of the neck, known as the carotid arteries. A carotid ultrasound is a simple, painless scan that can detect narrowing in these arteries before it causes serious harm. By spotting problems early, treatment can reduce your stroke risk and protect your long-term health. 

Capri Ultrasound offers bulk billed carotid ultrasounds right here on the Gold Coast, accepting all valid referrals from GPs and specialists.

What Are the Carotid Arteries?

The carotid arteries are two major blood vessels located on each side of your neck. Their job is to carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to your brain. These arteries can become narrowed or blocked, often due to a build-up of fatty deposits called plaque, and this can cause the brain’s blood supply to be reduced or even cut off, causing a stroke.

Narrowing of the carotid arteries is called carotid artery stenosis, and in many cases, it develops silently over time without any symptoms.

How a Carotid Ultrasound Helps Reduce Stroke Risk

A carotid ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the carotid arteries and measure blood flow. Here’s how it can help:

• Detects narrowing early: Using doppler ultrasound, the scan shows how fast blood is moving through the arteries. Faster flow can indicate narrowing caused by plaque build-up.

• Identifies plaque build-up: The ultrasound can reveal fatty deposits inside the artery walls that may eventually block blood flow. If you’d like to understand more about how plaque forms and affects the body, the Cleveland Clinic’s guide to atherosclerosis offers a detailed explanation.

• Supports early treatment: Detecting narrowing before symptoms appear means doctors can recommend lifestyle changes, prescribe medication, or perform procedures to restore healthy blood flow, greatly reducing the risk of stroke.

When Is a Carotid Ultrasound Recommended?

A doctor might refer you for a carotid ultrasound if you:

• Have had a previous stroke or transient ischaemic attack (TIA or “mini-stroke”)
• Have risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, or smoking
• Experience unexplained dizziness, vision changes, weakness, or numbness on one side of the body
• Have temporary loss of vision in one eye (amaurosis fugax)
• Have an abnormal sound in your neck arteries (bruit) detected by a stethoscope
• Have a strong family history of stroke or cardiovascular disease
  

Even without symptoms, people with multiple risk factors may benefit from screening, particularly if advised by their GP or specialist.

What to Expect During the Scan

A carotid ultrasound is straightforward and completely non-invasive.

1. You’ll lie on your back with your head slightly tilted.
2. A small amount of gel is applied to your neck to help conduct the sound waves.
3. The sonographer moves a handheld probe (transducer) over each side of the neck to capture images and measure blood flow.
4. The scan typically takes around 10–20 minutes.
   

There’s no radiation, no injections, and no downtime, you can return to your usual activities straight afterwards. Your results are sent directly to your referring healthcare provider.

The Dangers of Untreated Carotid Narrowing

Carotid artery narrowing can allow small pieces of plaque or blood clots to travel to the brain, blocking smaller arteries and triggering a stroke. Unfortunately, many people don’t know they have narrowing until it’s too late.

By detecting narrowing early, a carotid ultrasound gives you the opportunity to take action before a major event occurs. Treatments may include:

• Medication to manage cholesterol and blood pressure
• Lifestyle changes such as improved diet, increased exercise, and quitting smoking
• Surgical procedures such as endarterectomy to restore blood flow

Prevention is Key

Most strokes linked to carotid artery narrowing are preventable with the right treatment plan. This is why early detection matters so much. A carotid ultrasound is one of the most effective tools for identifying narrowing before symptoms appear, and acting early can mean the difference between living well and facing serious disability.

Why Choose Capri Ultrasound for Your Carotid Scan

Not all imaging clinics offer vascular scans like the carotid ultrasound. At Capri Ultrasound, you’ll benefit from:

• Expertise in vascular imaging including carotid artery doppler scans
• Bulk billing for all eligible patients
• All valid referrals accepted from GPs and specialists
• Convenient Gold Coast location with fast appointments and quick reporting
  

Whether your doctor is investigating symptoms, monitoring risk factors, or screening for prevention, our experienced team is here to deliver high-quality, accurate results.

Protect Your Brain, Protect Your Future

Stroke is a serious and life-changing event, but with the right tools, many cases can be prevented. A carotid ultrasound is a simple, safe, and effective way to check your neck arteries for narrowing and take action before it leads to a stroke.

Capri Ultrasound offers bulk billed carotid ultrasounds on the Gold Coast, making this potentially life-saving scan accessible to everyone with a valid referral. Ask your GP or specialist about a referral to Capri Ultrasound today, because when it comes to stroke prevention, early detection could save your life.