A carotid ultrasound checks your neck arteries for plaque buildup — one of the leading causes of stroke.
Every year, thousands of Mainers experience strokes that could have been detected — and potentially prevented — with a simple, painless ultrasound of the neck arteries. The carotid duplex ultrasound is one of the most valuable cardiovascular screening tools available, and one of the least talked about.
If you have risk factors for stroke or heart disease, here's what you need to know.
A carotid duplex ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging study that uses sound waves to evaluate the carotid arteries — the two large blood vessels on either side of your neck that supply blood to your brain.
The exam has two components. The B-mode (brightness mode) ultrasound creates a real-time image of the artery wall, allowing us to see plaque buildup, wall thickness, and any structural abnormalities. The Doppler component measures blood flow velocity through the artery, which tells us whether a narrowing is present and how significant it is.
Together, these two elements give a complete picture of your carotid artery health — and your stroke risk.
A carotid duplex ultrasound is appropriate for anyone with one or more of the following risk factors:
You don't need to have symptoms to benefit from screening. In fact, carotid artery disease is often completely silent until a stroke occurs. That's precisely why proactive screening matters.
A carotid duplex ultrasound can detect and quantify:
When stenosis reaches 70% or greater, intervention is often recommended to prevent stroke. Many patients who reach that point had no symptoms. The only way to know is to look.
A carotid duplex ultrasound takes approximately 30–45 minutes. You'll lie comfortably on your back while I apply a small amount of ultrasound gel to each side of your neck. A handheld transducer is gently moved along the neck to capture images and Doppler measurements of both carotid arteries.
There's no radiation, no needles, and no discomfort. Most patients find the exam relaxing.
At BlackPoint Diagnostics, the exam is performed at your home or preferred location — no travel, no waiting room, no hospital parking.
Hospital-based carotid imaging in Maine requires a physician referral and typically involves a wait of several weeks. Most independent imaging centers in Maine focus exclusively on echocardiography and do not offer carotid duplex ultrasound.
BlackPoint Diagnostics offers mobile carotid duplex ultrasound throughout Southern Maine at a flat rate of $397. No referral required. Results reviewed by a board-certified cardiologist and delivered within 24–48 hours. Evening and weekend appointments available.
If you have risk factors for stroke and haven't had your carotid arteries evaluated, this is one of the highest-value screenings available to you.
Serving Brunswick, Portland, South Portland, Scarborough, Bath, Freeport, Biddeford, Topsham, and surrounding Southern Maine communities. Book directly at blackpointdiagnostics.com — no referral needed, same-week appointments available.
Questions? Call or text (207) 409-7797.
Book your screening or reach out with any questions about your cardiovascular health.
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