Are Vascular Doppler Ultrasound Services Right for You?
What This Article Covers
In this article, we’ll discuss how vascular Doppler ultrasound works, which symptoms need to be checked, what the scan can detect, and what to expect during your appointment.
We often attribute the subtle and minor changes in our body to ageing, but age isn’t always the only factor. Do your legs ache after standing for too long? Perhaps you’ve notice you ankles swelling after a long day or your feet seeming colder than they used to. Maybe your legs have started cramping often when you walk for a long time, or you’ve noticed varicose veins becoming more visible. You might think of many reasons for these symptoms, but circulation issues are rarely considered. These symptoms don’t necessarily mean there’s a problem with your circulation. But when something feels different and doesn’t settle, it is worth finding out why. A vascular Doppler ultrasound can give your doctor a closer look at how blood is moving through your blood vessels and whether there are any problems that need attention. It is often helpful in finding out the real cause behind many of your concerns.
What Is a Vascular Doppler Ultrasound?
Medical tests like blood tests, EMGs, X-rays, CT Scans, MRIs, etc., either require needles or use radiation technology that can be potentially harmful. An ultrasound uses sound waves to examine the blood vessels and blood flow. The Doppler technology shows how blood is moving through the vessels, including its direction and flow. It can help examine narrowing, plaque buildup, and complete blockages in the arteries and veins. That’s why a vascular Doppler ultrasound is considered a safe, non-invasive, and effective method of scanning the blood flow to determine the cause of your concerns. Depending on your symptoms, your doctor might refer a vascular ultrasound to examine arteries, veins, or both. Since it doesn’t involve radiation, needles, or an overnight stay, it is considered the simplest way to check your circulation concerns.
What Happens During a Vascular Doppler Ultrasound?
If you’re worried about pain or discomfort, you don’t need to. A vascular Doppler ultrasound is usually a quick, comfortable, and painless procedure. During the scan, the sonographer will apply ultrasound gel to the area being examined. Then they will move a handheld probe gently across your skin to capture images and assess blood flow. Sometimes the sonographer might ask you to change position or move a limb during the examination to assess blood flow under different conditions. Once it is done, you can return to your normal activities.
If your doctor has referred a vascular ultrasound and you’re wondering about the cost, this scan isn’t as expensive as other tests. You can also find ultrasound clinics offering these services at affordable rates. And if you have a valid referral and Medicare eligibility, you can also book bulk bill ultrasound services at Insight Diagnostic Imaging or your local imaging clinic.
What Can a Vascular Ultrasound Check?
A vascular ultrasound can help you assess your blood flow and find out the main cause of any issue. We are quick to blame age or weight for circulation issues. However, blood circulation problems can develop for many reasons, some having symptoms that aren’t very obvious at first. Some of the reasons that a vascular ultrasound helps detect are:
- When your blood vessels are narrowed or blocked.
- When there’s reduced blood flow to the limbs.
- When there are blood clots in the veins.
- Venous reflux associated with varicose veins.
- When there are problems with blood circulation in the legs.
- Blood flow following certain vascular procedures
The specific type of vascular Doppler scan you need depends on your symptoms and what your doctor is looking for. For example, they may request a venous Doppler ultrasound when checking blood circulation in the veins, and an arterial Doppler to examine the blood flow through the arteries.
What Symptoms Might Lead to a Vascular Ultrasound?
Not every sore leg or swollen ankle points to a vascular problem. So how do you know when your symptoms are a blood flow issue? It depends on various factors. Your GP or specialist will review your symptoms, medical history, and physical examination before deciding whether you need imaging. Sometimes your doctor might simply want more information before deciding what to do next. Here are some symptoms that might prompt your doctor to refer you for a vascular ultrasound:
- Persistent swelling in your legs or ankles
- Leg pain or cramping when walking
- Unexplained heaviness or aching
- Painful or worsening varicose veins
- Changes in skin colour or temperature
- Cold or numb hands or feet
- A wound on your leg or foot that isn’t healing properly
Is Vascular Ultrasound the Same as Cardiovascular Ultrasound?
Most patients are confused between the two. But despite sounding similar, both terms refer to different examinations. A vascular ultrasound usually scans the blood vessels, particularly the arteries and veins. It checks the movement of blood within blood vessels, including the speed and direction of blood flow. Usually performed on the legs, neck, arms, and abdomen, vascular Doppler ultrasound helps evaluate whether the blood is circulating properly in your body and whether the vessels are narrowed, blocked, or not functioning normally.
On the other hand, cardiovascular ultrasound isn’t limited to examining the blood vessels, but also checks the heart’s chambers, valves, and overall pumping function. It helps the doctors assess how well the heart pumps blood, check the movements of the heart valves, and identify heart muscle damage or congenital defects. So, if you’ve come across the term cardiovascular ultrasound, don’t assume it’s the same as a vascular Doppler scan. The appropriate examination depends on what your doctor needs to investigate.
Are Vascular Ultrasound Services Right for You?
Even if you have symptoms that might indicate circulation issues, your doctor doesn’t need to recommend a vascular Doppler ultrasound to you. Usually, a doctor would refer this scan if they suspect an issue affecting blood flow or want to check the blood vessels further. So, if you’ve noticed persistent or unexplained symptoms like swelling, pain, varicose veins, etc., don’t hesitate to reach out. Talk to your family doctor or visit a local GP or specialist for advice. They can assess your symptoms and determine whether a vascular ultrasound is appropriate.
Don’t Ignore Changes in Your Circulation
We often ignore the signs of our body and choose to believe in hearsay and acquired knowledge. However, our body can be quite good at telling us when something has changed. A vascular Doppler ultrasound provides useful information about what’s happening beneath the surface, helping your doctor to decide what comes next. If your body shows symptoms like persistent swelling, pain, temperature changes, or other unusual symptoms, don’t simply put them down to getting older or being on your feet all day. Discuss them with your doctor or a local GP as soon as possible.
At Insight Diagnostic Imaging, we believe healthcare should be accessible, affordable, and effective. We provide vascular ultrasound services at both our Springvale and Dandenong clinics. If you have a valid referral and Medicare eligibility, you may also access our bulk bill ultrasound services.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does a vascular Doppler ultrasound detect?
It assesses blood flow through your arteries and veins and can help identify issues such as narrowed vessels, blood clots, or abnormal blood flow.
2. Is a vascular Doppler ultrasound painful?
No. The scan is non-invasive and generally painless. You may feel some pressure from the ultrasound probe during the examination.
3. How long does a vascular Doppler ultrasound take?
The appointment length varies depending on the vessels being examined, but many scans take around 30 to 60 minutes.
4. Do I need a referral for a vascular ultrasound?
Yes. A referral from your GP or specialist is generally required and should specify the type of examination needed.
5. Is vascular Doppler ultrasound bulk billed?
Yes, we offer bulk-billed ultrasound services to eligible patients with a valid referral and Medicare eligibility. Book an ultrasound scan with us today and check availability of bulk billing for your specific scans.
Related Posts
Why Doctors Recommend Liver FibroScan Ultrasound for Liver Disease
A Complete Parent’s Guide to Paediatric Ultrasound Services
Shoulder Pain That Won’t Go Away? Here’s How a Musculoskeletal Ultrasound Can Help
Varicose Veins: When Should You Get a Venous Doppler Ultrasound?
Dating Scan vs Viability Scan: What’s the Difference and When Do You Need Each?
Common Questions Expectant Parents Ask About Pregnancy Ultrasound Scans
