Vascular Ultrasound

A noninvasive test for early signs of vascular disease

Vascular ultrasound is a noninvasive, painless test that looks for problems with your veins or arteries, including narrowing of blood vessels (stenosis), clots in blood vessels deep in the body (deep vein thrombosis), and bulges in an artery (aneurysm).

During vascular ultrasound, a specially trained technologist uses special equipment and a wand (transducer) that is lightly pressed over parts of your body, usually your arms or legs, to produce sound waves. The sound waves bounce off the tissues in your body to create computer images. Your technologist applies a water-based gel to your skin to help the wand glide more easily.

One type of ultrasound frequently used is called a Vascular Doppler ultrasound. During a Vascular Doppler ultrasound, you hear little noises. These are soundwaves that measure blood flow through your blood vessels. You’re not exposed to any radiation during this type of ultrasound.

Once the ultrasound is over, a radiologist reviews the technologist’s report and the images to decide if there’s a problem in your circulatory system that needs medical attention.

You may feel discomfort during vascular ultrasound if you have swelling or tenderness in an area being checked. Be sure to let your technologist know if an area is tender.

What To Expect

During vascular ultrasound, a specially trained technologist uses special equipment and a wand (transducer) that is lightly pressed over parts of your body, usually your arms or legs, to produce sound waves. The sound waves bounce off the tissues in your body to create computer images. Your technologist applies a water-based gel to your skin to help the wand glide more easily.

One type of ultrasound frequently used is called a Vascular Doppler ultrasound. During a Vascular Doppler ultrasound, you hear little noises. These are soundwaves that measure blood flow through your blood vessels. You’re not exposed to any radiation during this type of ultrasound.

Once the ultrasound is over, a radiologist reviews the technologist’s report and the images to decide if there’s a problem in your circulatory system that needs medical attention.

You may feel discomfort during vascular ultrasound if you have swelling or tenderness in an area being checked. Be sure to let your technologist know if an area is tender.

Before Your Procedure

You usually don’t need to prepare for vascular ultrasound. In some cases, you may be asked to fast before the test. Your healthcare provider will let you know if that is necessary.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Your ultrasound technologist may ask you to remove jewelry before the test. We may also ask you to wear a gown for the test.

After Your Procedure

You can go back to normal activities after vascular ultrasound. The technologist will tell you when to expect to hear from your healthcare provider about the results.

Preparing for your Vascular Ultrasound

Before Your Procedure

You usually don’t need to prepare for vascular ultrasound. In some cases, you may be asked to fast before the test. Your healthcare provider will let you know if that is necessary.

Wear loose, comfortable clothing. Your ultrasound technologist may ask you to remove jewelry before the test. We may also ask you to wear a gown for the test.

After Your Procedure

You can go back to normal activities after vascular ultrasound. The technologist will tell you when to expect to hear from your healthcare provider about the results.

Be sure to write down in advance the questions you want to ask your provider so you don’t forget them at your appointment.

  • How long does a vascular ultrasound take?
  • Do I need to fast or prepare in any other way?
  • When will I get the results of the test?
  • Will you call me, or do I need to come in for a visit to get the results?

Questions To Ask Your Provider

Be sure to write down in advance the questions you want to ask your provider so you don’t forget them at your appointment.

  • How long does a vascular ultrasound take?
  • Do I need to fast or prepare in any other way?
  • When will I get the results of the test?
  • Will you call me, or do I need to come in for a visit to get the results?

RadiologyInfo.org

The Radiological Society of North America and American College of Radiology provide extensive information about vascular ultrasound.

Resources

RadiologyInfo.org

The Radiological Society of North America and American College of Radiology provide extensive information about vascular ultrasound.

Patient Stories for Vascular Ultrasound