Painless scans of the arteries in your neck, with reports sent to you and/or your GP
A carotid ultrasound (also called a carotid Doppler, carotid duplex scan or carotid artery scan) uses sound waves to look at the carotid arteries, the two main arteries in your neck that supply blood to your brain.
It can show whether the arteries are narrowed by plaque (fatty deposits) and how well blood is flowing through them, which helps assess your cardiovascular and stroke risk.
At Enigma Healthcare in Tarporley, you can book a private carotid ultrasound without a GP referral. Appointments are often available within days, from £195.
Call 999 immediately if you or someone else has sudden weakness in the face or arm, slurred speech or sudden loss of vision, even if the symptoms pass. These can be signs of a stroke or a mini-stroke (TIA) and need emergency care. A scan appointment is not the right route.
A carotid ultrasound is a safe, painless scan that uses sound waves to create images of the carotid arteries in your neck. A Doppler setting measures the speed and direction of blood flow through them. It does not use radiation.
The scan lets clinicians look at:
You may see it called a carotid Doppler, carotid duplex scan or carotid artery scan. They all describe the same scan. You can read more about ultrasound scans on the NHS website.
Book a carotid artery ultrasound Call us on 01829 863 331Assesses the carotid arteries in your neck, which supply blood to your brain. You may choose this scan if you have been advised to assess your cardiovascular or stroke risk. It examines the artery walls and blood flow for narrowing, plaque and other abnormalities.
You may want a carotid ultrasound if you have:
Many people choose a private carotid ultrasound for reassurance or to understand their cardiovascular risk better.
A carotid ultrasound can show:
It has limits. It looks at the arteries in the neck only, so it doesn’t check the heart or the arteries inside the brain, and it can’t predict a stroke on its own. A normal scan does not mean there is no cardiovascular risk. It is one part of a wider picture that includes blood pressure, cholesterol and heart checks. If your scan shows something that needs further tests, we’ll explain the next steps.
Your appointment at Enigma Healthcare is straightforward and typically takes around 20 minutes.
The scan is non-invasive and painless, and you can return to normal activities immediately afterwards. Your report is sent directly to you and/or your GP.
If further specialist care is needed – If your scan shows plaque or narrowing, we’ll explain what it means and what to do next. Where appropriate, we can arrange referral to our cardiology team to talk through managing your cardiovascular risk.
Book a carotid artery ultrasound Call us on 01829 863 331No. It looks at the arteries in your neck, not your heart. If you want your heart checked, an ECG records your heart rhythm and an echocardiogram looks at the structure and function of the heart.
A carotid Doppler is a carotid ultrasound that also measures the speed and direction of blood flow through the arteries. It is also called a carotid duplex scan or carotid artery scan, and they all describe the same scan.
A carotid ultrasound is a painless scan that uses sound waves to create images of the carotid arteries, the two main arteries in your neck that supply blood to your brain.
It shows whether plaque or narrowing is present in the arteries of your neck, which is one factor in stroke risk. It can’t predict a stroke on its own, and a normal scan does not mean there is no risk. Your blood pressure, cholesterol and other health factors matter too.
No, it is painless. You may feel a little pressure from the probe, and the gel can feel cool.
No. You can book directly with us without a GP referral. If your GP has already recommended a scan, you are welcome to bring their request with you.
Not ready to book an appointment just yet, or want to know whether a carotid ultrasound is right for you? Leave us your details and your question below, and a member of our imaging team will get back to you personally.
Prefer to talk straight away? Call us on 01829 863 331.
