Doppler Ultrasound: Meaning, Types, and Risks

What is Doppler ultrasound? 

A Doppler ultrasound is a test done to measure blood flow rate in the blood vessels. A high-frequency sound wave is used to estimate the circulating red blood cells. Doppler scan utilizes sound waves to generate images. However, it isn’t a practical test to know the blood flow.  

Doppler scan helps diagnose any severe blood conditions that you may have. The Doppler ultrasound also helps know the blood flow speed.

What are the types of Doppler ultrasounds?

Doppler Ultrasound is also known as sonography or ultrasonography. It is a harmless imaging test. Through a Doppler test, you can see various images. However, the actual blood flow is unknown.

The various kinds of Doppler Ultrasounds are:

1. Colour Doppler: This is when the system converts high-frequency waves into colours. These signify the blood flow direction.
2. Duplex ultrasound: It is a Doppler test wherein there is a combination of traditional and Doppler ultrasound.
3. Spectral Doppler: It is the graphical representation of the blood flow.
4. Power Doppler: It is a Doppler test used to show the blood flow presence and its slow flow. Moreover, you cannot see the blood flow direction in such a test. Healthcare providers use Doppler to see the direction of blood flow within the organs.

Who might need a Doppler ultrasound?

You might need a Doppler ultrasound if:

• Diagnosed with blood vessel-related disorder.
• You have undergone surgery, and want to check the blood flow
• In some cases colour Doppler ultrasound in pregnancy is required

 If you’re facing any of these conditions, get a doppler ultrasound done immediately.

What conditions can a Doppler ultrasound help you diagnose?

Doppler ultrasound helps healthcare providers diagnose various health conditions such as:

• Narrowed veins
• Injuries in blood vessels
• Blood clots
• Chronic Venous Insufficiency
• Measure the amount of blood supply to transplanted organs such as kidney or liver
• Tumors within your blood vessels
• In case of hypertension

How does a Doppler ultrasound work?

In Doppler ultrasound sound waves are bounced back from the red blood cells present in your blood vessels. In the computer, the healthcare provider can see the change in pitch amongst the sound waves in your body. The Doppler ultrasound helps understand the blood flow direction and movement in your body.

This information is then used to know the following:

• Blood flow speed (slow or fast)
• Wrong blood flow direction within a blood vessel.

How should I prepare for a Doppler ultrasound?

Depending on which type of Doppler ultrasound you’re going for or the reasons for the ultrasound, you must:

• Fast for a few hours, as the doctor suggests, before the test
• Stop smoking and consuming other nicotine-containing products for a minimum of two hours before the test. Nicotine will affect your blood vessels and the end test reports.

What happens during a Doppler ultrasound?

A Doppler ultrasound sonographer or specialist conducts the test using imaging technology. As per the test type and reason, the specialist may ask you to lie on your back or side of the table. They might also ask you to sit up.

Here is what happens during the Doppler ultrasound:

• The specialist applies a gel on your skin. With the gel, the sonographer now glides a tiny probe on your skin. The probe helps sound waves travel.
• The machine then sends high-frequency sound waves into your body.
• The waves bounce off the blood cells, and the pitch changes. A whooshing sound comes out of the machine.
• The probe examines the change in a wave, and the machine converts them into pictures/graphs.
• At the end, the Doppler ultrasound sonographer wipes off the gel from your skin.

Be it any ultrasound, for instance, a Doppler scan for leg, the same procedure is followed.

What are the risks of a Doppler ultrasound?  

A Doppler ultrasound is a harmless and no-risk test. Moreover, the specialist doesn’t insert injections or pins into your body. In addition, there is no use of CT scans or X-rays. In fact, doppler ultrasound pregnancy is an excellent example of how safe the test is.

When will I get the test results?

It may take a few weeks for the doctor to give you the results. Depending on your test results, the doctor might ask you to get further tests done. Your health condition determines if you need a Doppler test for heart.

What does Doppler mean?

The word Doppler is derived from the name of a famous physicist, Christian Doppler. He was a popular physicist in the 19th century. Christian was the first person to measure sound waves. It was named as the Doppler effect.

Conclusion

Doppler ultrasound is the safest and painless way for your doctor to diagnose your blood vessel health and know about any cardiovascular disease. This ultrasound reveals important information regarding your blood flow and circulatory system.

You can visit Metropolis Labs for Doppler ultrasound. Our lab is present in almost all major cities of the country. You can collect your reports online or through the app.