Ultrasounds

Ultrasounds are one of the most important imaging tests for the heart, so Sacramento Heart & Vascular Medical Associates has a full-scale advanced diagnostics and imaging center on-site in their two locations in Sacramento, with an additional location in Davis, California. Your ultrasound experience is comfortable, safe, and fast, thanks to the team of leading technicians, so call the office nearest you or book your appointment online now.

What are ultrasounds?

Ultrasound is an advanced diagnostic and imaging technique that creates images of your internal organs using high-frequency sound waves. 

During an ultrasound, a transducer sends sound waves into your body. The waves that bounce back, which vary in depth, create a detailed image. 

Ultrasounds are 100% noninvasive tests and cause no discomfort.

When might I need an ultrasound?

At Sacramento Heart & Vascular Medical Associates, the specialists perform ultrasounds to detect, monitor, and diagnose heart and vascular issues. 

You might need an ultrasound if you have symptoms like breathing difficulties, chest pain, irregular heartbeat, or other warning signs of heart or vascular trouble. Or, you could need an ultrasound if you have risk factors for stroke, aneurysm, or heart disease. 

What types of ultrasounds are available?

Ultrasound types include the following:

Echocardiogram 

Echocardiograms image the heart. The most common type of echocardiogram is the transthoracic echocardiogram, which images your heart by moving a transducer over your chest. Stress echocardiograms, in which you have a transthoracic echocardiogram immediately before and after strenuous exercise, are a common part of diagnosis and evaluation. 

Echocardiograms can diagnose problems such as coronary artery disease, heart valve disorders, aneurysms, and congenital heart defects even in their earlier stages. 

Aortic ultrasound

Aortic ultrasound creates images of the body’s biggest blood vessel, the aorta. This ultrasound can evaluate and diagnose problems like narrowing, blockages, and bulging areas (aneurysms). 

Aortic ultrasound is most often used to check for abdominal aortic aneurysms, a potentially serious problem affecting up to 13% of men and 5% of women over 65. An abdominal aortic aneurysm could rupture, which is often fatal, but aortic ultrasound allows you to detect and treat it early. 

Carotid Doppler ultrasound

Carotid Doppler ultrasounds evaluate the blood flow in the carotid arteries on each side of your neck. Your carotid arteries deliver blood to your brain. 

Carotid Doppler ultrasounds can detect carotid artery narrowing and assess how fast blood moves through them. This information can determine your risk of a stroke or other severe complications.

Vascular ultrasounds

Along with ultrasounds to assess blood vessels like your carotid artery and aorta, the team also uses vascular ultrasounds to evaluate blood vessels in the arms and legs to check for blockages and narrowing.  

Call Sacramento Heart & Vascular Medical Associates to schedule your ultrasound, or click on the online scheduler now.