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Carotid ultrasound and Doppler testing (IMT)

Your carotid arteries, on each side of your neck, carry blood from your heart to your brain. A painless ultrasound checks them for narrowing, which can raise your risk of a stroke.

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Same-day appointments available

Medically reviewed by Michael Ghalchi, MD, FACC · Review date: Pending review

A woman lying down while an ultrasound probe is held to the side of her neck

The short answer

Carotid ultrasound, in brief.

What it is: An ultrasound of the carotid arteries in your neck. It uses sound waves (Doppler) to make pictures of your arteries and the blood moving through them.
Why you might need it: Plaque can build up in these arteries and make them narrower, which lowers blood flow to the brain. If an artery becomes blocked, you can have a stroke. Finding narrowing early can lower your risk of a heart attack or stroke.
How long it takes: It typically takes about 30 minutes.
How to prepare: Our team will tell you if there is anything you need to do before your test.
Do I need a referral?: No. You don't need a referral to see Dr. Ghalchi. At your visit, he decides with you which tests make sense.
Insurance: Covered by most plans when medically necessary. We check your benefits before your test.
Results: Dr. Ghalchi reads every study himself and goes over the results with you.

Right here in our office

Tested here, read by Dr. Ghalchi.

The tests you may need are done right here in our office, quickly — sometimes the same day. Dr. Ghalchi reads your studies and goes over the results with you, and every report is in your patient portal.

MCVA does not do coronary calcium scans, coronary CT angiography or cardiac MRI in our office. If you need one, we arrange it for you.

During the test

The test is painless. A small probe, called a transducer, is moved over your neck. It bounces sound waves off your blood cells (Doppler) and shows pictures of your arteries on a screen.

What it can find

It shows narrowed arteries and plaque. It can also find blood clots and other artery problems, and check how well some surgeries worked.

The IMT measurement

Sometimes we also measure the thickness of the inner layers of the artery wall. This is called carotid intima-media thickness (IMT). It helps Dr. Ghalchi estimate your risk of a future heart attack or stroke and plan how to lower it.

Questions

Common questions.

Does it hurt?

No. A carotid ultrasound is painless.

How long does it take?

It typically takes about 30 minutes.

Who should have one?

If you are at risk for heart and blood vessel disease, Dr. Ghalchi may suggest one. He'll talk with you about whether it makes sense for you.

Do I need a referral?

No. You don't need a referral to see Dr. Ghalchi. At your visit, he decides with you which tests make sense.

When do I get my results?

Dr. Ghalchi reads every study himself and goes over the results with you. You can also find your reports in your patient portal.

Is it covered by insurance?

Covered by most plans when medically necessary. We check your benefits before your test. Questions? Call us at 212-686-0066.

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Book

Book a visit with Dr. Ghalchi.

Choose an open time online, or call and we’ll find one with you. Same-day appointments available, in-network with most major plans, no referral needed.