A Doppler ultrasound is a test that uses high-frequency sound waves to view the motion of fluids in the blood vessels.
Doppler ultrasound is used to:
In most cases, there are no complications with this test.
Your doctor may do the following:
In some cases your doctor may instruct you to:
You will lie on a table. Your doctor will put a gel on the skin over the area that will be examined. The gel helps the sound waves travel between the machine and your body.
The ultrasound machine has a hand-held instrument called a transducer. It looks like a microphone or wand. The transducer is pushed against your skin where the gel was applied. The transducer sends sound waves into your body. The waves bounce off your internal organs and echo back to the transducer. The echoes are changed into images that are shown on a screen. The doctor examines the images on the screen. Photographs of the images may be taken.
You may be asked to change positions or hold your breath during the exam.
The gel will be cleaned from your body. You will be able to return to normal activities in most cases.
About 30 minutes to 1 hour
No
A radiologist will examine the images after the test. Your doctor will let you know the results and talk to you about treatment.
After the test, call your doctor if symptoms become worse.
If you think you have an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.
American Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine
Radiology Info—Radiologic Society of North America
Health Canada
The College of Family Physicians of Canada
General ultrasound. Radiology Info—Radiologic Society of North America website. Available at: https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info.cfm?PG=genus. Updated May 30, 2016. Accessed March 1, 2018.
Ultrasound imaging. US Food & Drug Administration website. Available at: https://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/RadiationEmittingProductsandProcedures/MedicalImaging/ucm115357.htm. Updated December 4, 2017. Accessed March 1, 2018.
Last reviewed March 2018 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Michael J. Fucci, DO, FACC
Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.