Carotid artery ultrasound examination

A carotid ultrasound is an examination that evaluates the degree of arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) in the carotid arteries, which are the large blood vessels in the neck that supply oxygen and nutrients to the brain.

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Arteriosclerosis is a condition where arterial blood vessels lose their elasticity and become stiff, or where cholesterol and other substances deposit, causing the inner lumen of the vessels to narrow. Generally, arteriosclerosis impairs blood flow, and in the worst-case scenario, can cause blood flow to be cut off completely. When this happens in the blood vessels of the brain or heart, it leads to serious conditions such as cerebral infarction (stroke) or myocardial infarction (heart attack). Due to the Westernization of lifestyles in Japan, so-called lifestyle-related diseases such as hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and diabetes are on the rise. All of these lifestyle-related diseases are significant risk factors for arteriosclerosis, and if appropriate prevention and treatment are not undertaken, the arteries throughout the entire body will gradually become affected, leading to ischemia in vital organs. Therefore, detecting atherosclerotic changes in blood vessels early is extremely important for the prevention and treatment of these major diseases.

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This examination checks for stenosis (narrowing) or occlusion (blockage) within the observable range of the carotid arteries. It observes not only changes in the shape of the blood vessels through cross-sectional imaging (morphological diagnosis), but also changes in vascular function (functional diagnosis) via blood flow information and other indicators. Medically, it is known that when the carotid stenosis rate exceeds 70%, the risk of ischemic cerebrovascular disorders such as cerebral infarction increases, and distinguishing whether a lesion is stenosis or occlusion is crucial for determining treatment strategies. Furthermore, because the carotid artery is a common site for atherosclerosis, evaluating the degree of carotid hardening makes it possible to gauge the extent of arteriosclerosis throughout the entire body. Consequently, it is an extremely powerful examination for the prevention and early detection of cases with risk factors for arteriosclerosis who are suspected of developing vascular diseases such as cerebrovascular disorders, ischemic heart disease, and arteriosclerosis obliterans. An increasing number of facilities in Japan are incorporating this examination into comprehensive medical check-ups (ningen dock) to detect arteriosclerosis early and evaluate its progression.

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In a carotid ultrasound examination, a special ultrasound probe is placed against the neck to observe the carotid arteries. It is the same examination method used for abdominal ultrasounds. Applying the principle of the Doppler effect, blood flow is displayed in color, allowing for a detailed investigation of the presence and location of stenosis, blood flow velocity, and blood flow turbulence. Ultrasound examinations conducted from the body surface cause zero pain or discomfort for the patient, and unlike X-ray or CT scans, they involve no radiation exposure. If you are concerned about your blood pressure or cholesterol levels, if you smoke, or if you have a family history of stroke or heart attacks, why not consider taking this examination?