If you experience symptoms of a heart or blood vessel problem and need a vascular ultrasound, turn to Advanced Heart Care Associates, with an office in Henderson, Nevada, and two office locations in Las Vegas, Nevada. The skilled cardiologists offer this on-site service for adults of all ages to detect or rule out possible problems. Call one of the offices or schedule an appointment online today.
A vascular ultrasound is a common, painless, noninvasive procedure that uses high-frequency sound waves to develop images of the inside of your body, particularly your blood vessels. It creates pictures of blocked or diseased blood vessels, as well as heart problems that may require treatment. A computer displays sound wave images on a screen while you relax.
Advanced Heart Care Associates could recommend a vascular ultrasound to evaluate blood flow to targeted areas of your body if you experience symptoms of a heart or blood vessel problem. Examples include leg pain, swelling, pale skin, chest pain, and varicose veins.
Vascular ultrasounds can detect or rule out peripheral artery disease and chronic venous insufficiency, as well as other blood vessel disorders that may cause serious problems when left untreated.
Your Advanced Heart Care Associates provider lets you know if you’re a candidate for a vascular ultrasound after reviewing your symptoms and medical history, as well as discussing your lifestyle habits and completing a physical exam. You might also need blood tests, heart function testing, or other diagnostic tests in addition to a vascular ultrasound.
There’s no special preparation needed prior to undergoing vascular ultrasound, but you might need to change into a hospital gown and remove jewelry prior to the procedure. While you lie down on a padded, comfortable exam table, your provider applies a tiny amount of gel to your arms, legs, or other areas of your body.
They place a hand-held device, called a transducer, on the gel to develop images of blood vessels and evaluate blood flow. You might feel some pressure, but the procedure isn’t painful. Vascular ultrasound often takes 30-90 minutes to complete, but every patient is different.
After you undergo a vascular ultrasound, there’s no downtime, so you can resume a normal routine immediately. Your Advanced Heart Care Associates provider discusses the results with you and lets you know if you need additional diagnostic testing or treatment for a heart or blood vessel disorder.
To learn more about or schedule a vascular ultrasound, call one of the Advanced Heart Care Associates offices or schedule an appointment online today.