Carotid & Extremity Vascular Testing
What is carotid artery testing?
When fatty deposits build up on the arteries in your neck, arms, or legs, these blood vessels can begin to narrow or harden. This is called peripheral vascular disease (PVD), also commonly referred to as peripheral arterial disease (PAD).
Depending on the location of the blockage, peripheral vascular disease can lead to strokes, transient ischemic attacks (TIA), or pain in the legs during walking (claudication).
Carotid and vascular extremity testing helps to identify the peripheral vascular disease and guide your doctor in treatment.
Duplex ultrasound diagnoses and investigates:
- PAD in the legs
- Carotid (neck) artery disease
- Kidney artery disease
- Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
- Chronic vein disease and varicose veins
How is vascular testing done?
An Ultrasound is the primary test for peripheral vascular disease. This is a non-invasive and completely painless way for your doctor to assess the blood flow through important arteries. This procedure does not require needles, dyes, radiation, or anesthesia.
In the case of carotid ultrasound, our staff places a sensor is placed on the side of your neck. In the case of a leg ultrasound, we place the probe outside of your legs. Sound waves are then bounced off your blood vessels, creating a picture of the blood flowing through them and revealing any blockages.
This test typically takes from 30 to 60 minutes.
Other tests used to diagnose the peripheral arterial disease are:
- Ankle-brachial index (ABI)
- Pulse volume recording
- CT angiogram
- MR angiogram
- Contrast angiogram
- Blood Tests
- Exercise tests
- Venography
- Imaging test for PAD
What is Lee Health's approach to carotid artery testing?
Lee Health has extensive expertise in diagnosing and treating peripheral vascular disease using the latest technology appropriate for each individual.
Our integrated team includes doctors trained in medical and surgical diagnosis and treatment for diseases of the heart including, cardiologists, electrophysiologists, and cardiac and cardiovascular surgeons.
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Ultrasound
Ultrasound, or sonography, uses sound waves to create pictures of organs, veins, and arteries, or an unborn baby. Ultrasound near me in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, and Bonita Springs.
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Cardiology - Heart Institute at Bass Road
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Cardiology - Heart Institute at Cape Coral Hospital
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Cardiology - Heart Institute at Coconut Point
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Cardiology - Heart Institute at Medical Plaza One
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Cardiology - Heart Institute at Metro Parkway
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Cardiology - Heart Institute at Sanctuary
Technology and Expertise at Lee Health
Lee Health provides the most up-to-date ultrasound equipment for carotid and vascular extremity testing. For questions related to cardiovascular care or services, email us at hearts@leehealth.org
If you need to schedule carotid or extremity vascular testing, please call us at (239) 424-1499
