Dizziness is the #1 reason adults over 65 visit their doctor. When it's recurring or unexplained, the heart and carotid arteries are two of the most important places to look.
When dizziness isn't explained by inner ear problems or medication side effects, the next place to look is the cardiovascular system. Carotid artery disease reduces blood delivery to the brain. Low cardiac output from a weak or stiffened heart does the same. Both can cause persistent lightheadedness, unsteadiness, and episodes that feel alarming — and both can be evaluated with ultrasound at our Falmouth imaging center, this week.
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Dizziness is the #1 complaint for adults over 65 visiting their doctor. A carotid ultrasound and echo can check the two most important cardiovascular causes — and both can be done at our Falmouth imaging center this week. No referral. No waiting room. Cardiologist-reviewed results in 24—48 hours.
If dizziness comes on suddenly with facial drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech, severe headache, or vision loss — call 911 immediately. These may be signs of stroke or TIA and require emergency care.
Dizziness in older adults is rarely just one thing. Here are the most clinically significant cardiovascular causes:
The carotid arteries run up each side of the neck and supply the brain with oxygenated blood. When plaque builds up inside them — a process called atherosclerosis — blood flow to the brain is reduced. The result can be persistent lightheadedness, brief episodes of dizziness, or even transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). Carotid artery disease is often completely silent until a significant narrowing develops. A carotid duplex ultrasound measures the degree of narrowing and blood flow velocity in both arteries — no radiation, no contrast, done at our Falmouth imaging center.
When the heart's pumping function declines — whether from reduced ejection fraction, valve disease, or diastolic dysfunction — the brain may not receive adequate blood flow. This is particularly noticeable when changing position or during exertion. An echocardiogram can evaluate how well the heart squeezes, how well it fills, and whether any valve problems are contributing to symptoms. Findings like reduced ejection fraction or significant valve dysfunction can help determine whether dizziness has a cardiac origin.
A sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up — orthostatic hypotension — is one of the most common causes of dizziness in older adults. It can result from dehydration, autonomic nervous system changes that come with aging, or as a side effect of blood pressure medications and diuretics. While this doesn't require ultrasound to diagnose, it often co-occurs with underlying heart function issues. An echocardiogram helps rule out a cardiac contributor.
Many medications used commonly in older adults — antihypertensives, diuretics, sedatives, antidepressants — list dizziness as a side effect. This is a conversation for your prescribing physician. However, medication-related dizziness doesn't mean the heart and carotids are fine. These causes can coexist and should be evaluated independently. Ruling out cardiovascular contributors gives a clearer picture for any medication review.
Both can be done in a single home visit by a sonographer credentialed in cardiac and vascular imaging.
Carotid Duplex · $397 in Falmouth
Duplex ultrasound of both carotid arteries measures plaque burden, degree of stenosis, and blood flow velocity. Can help identify significant narrowing that may be reducing cerebral perfusion. Non-invasive, no radiation. Results reviewed by a board-certified cardiologist within 24—48 hours.
Learn about carotid duplex →Echocardiogram · $397 in Falmouth
Real-time ultrasound imaging of all four heart chambers, valves, and wall motion. Measures ejection fraction, evaluates diastolic function, and identifies valve abnormalities that could reduce cardiac output. A complete functional assessment of whether the heart is delivering adequate blood flow.
Learn about echocardiograms →Traditional Path
BlackPoint Diagnostics
Carotid disease that causes dizziness can progress to TIA or stroke. Identifying significant narrowing early allows for intervention before a neurological event occurs. Clearing cardiovascular causes also helps focus the workup elsewhere — saving time and reducing anxiety.
Our registered cardiac and vascular sonographer scans at our Falmouth imaging center, or comes to your home with portable ultrasound equipment. A single study is $397 in Falmouth or $597 at your home. No fasting required, no changing into a hospital gown, no waiting rooms. You sit comfortably in your own space.
For the carotid duplex, you lie back with your head slightly turned to one side. Ultrasound gel is applied to the neck and a transducer passes along the carotid artery on each side. The scan evaluates plaque, vessel wall thickness, and blood flow velocity in real time. About 45 minutes total. No pain. No radiation.
For the echocardiogram, ultrasound gel is applied to the chest and the transducer images the heart from several positions. All four chambers, all four valves, wall motion, and ejection fraction are evaluated. About 30—45 minutes. Also painless and radiation-free.
When both are done in the same visit, the total time is approximately 60—75 minutes. Our sonographer walks you through key findings before leaving. The formal cardiologist-reviewed written report arrives within 24—48 hours.
Dizziness is the single most common complaint for adults over 65 visiting their primary care physician. The most clinically significant cardiovascular causes are carotid artery disease (reduced blood flow to the brain) and reduced cardiac output from heart dysfunction. A carotid duplex and echocardiogram can help determine whether either is contributing.
Yes. Narrowing of the carotid arteries reduces blood flow to the brain. When flow is significantly restricted, symptoms can include dizziness, lightheadedness, brief episodes of confusion, or transient ischemic attacks (TIAs). A carotid duplex ultrasound measures the degree of narrowing and evaluates blood flow — without radiation, at our Falmouth imaging center.
No referral is required. You can book directly through our website and book our Falmouth imaging center in Southern Maine. A board-certified cardiologist reviews all cardiac and carotid studies with a written report in 24—48 hours.
Yes. Our sonographer holds credentials in both cardiac and vascular ultrasound. A carotid duplex and echocardiogram can both be performed in the same home visit — about 60—75 minutes combined. Package pricing is available when combining multiple scans.
Dizziness accompanied by sudden severe headache, facial drooping, arm weakness, slurred speech, loss of vision, or inability to walk may indicate stroke or TIA. Call 911 immediately. Chronic or recurring dizziness without these red-flag symptoms is appropriate to evaluate on a scheduled basis.
Southern Maine · Falmouth Imaging Center · No Referral
A carotid duplex and echocardiogram at our Falmouth imaging center — same week, no referral, cardiologist-reviewed results in 24—48 hours. Flat pricing, no surprise billing.
Book Your Scan This WeekCarotid Duplex $397 · Echocardiogram $397 · No Referral · Southern Maine
Package pricing available when combining multiple scans.
