Carotid Doppler Ultrasound (Neck Arteries)
A carotid Doppler ultrasound assesses the arteries in the neck that supply the brain, measuring blood flow and looking for narrowing (stenosis) or plaque in the artery wall.
Written by the MyScanHub content team4 minutes reading time
From
£140
All-inclusive. Reported by a consultant radiologist or clinical specialist sonographer within 72 hours.
- Radiologists & specialist sonographers
- CQC registered
- GDPR compliant
- Report within 72 hours
What is a Carotid Doppler Ultrasound (Neck Arteries)?
Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves — no radiation and no injections — to produce real-time images of soft tissues and organs.
Ultrasound is safe, painless, and radiation-free — making it a first-line investigation for many conditions of the carotid arteries.
Is this scan right for you?
Common reasons for having this scan include:
- A stroke or mini-stroke (TIA) that is being investigated
- A whooshing sound (a bruit) heard over the neck
- High blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes with vascular risk
- A family history of stroke
- Monitoring known carotid narrowing
What a Carotid Doppler Ultrasound (Neck Arteries) can find
Ultrasound can identify:
- Carotid artery narrowing (stenosis) and its severity
- Plaque in the artery wall
- Thickening of the artery lining
- Flow in the vertebral arteries
What it cannot do
Vascular duplex ultrasound is a validated first-line investigation, but findings are operator-dependent and may be limited by body habitus, vessel calcification, depth or patient movement. A normal result does not completely exclude vascular pathology. If you develop sudden or severe symptoms including chest pain, acute breathlessness, sudden limb swelling or any neurological symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately irrespective of your scan result.
What happens on the day
- 1Check in at our clinic in the Guildhall Outer Car Park at Bluewater. Parking is free.
- 2You lie back with your neck slightly turned. A little gel goes on the skin and the probe is moved along each side of the neck; you will hear the blood flow through the machine.
- 3The scan takes about 20 minutes. There are no needles and nothing to recover from: you can drive and go back to work straight away.
- 4Your written report is uploaded to your secure patient account within 72 hours.
Arterial or venous Doppler?
An arterial Doppler checks the arteries for narrowing: book it for pain in the legs on walking that eases with rest, cold feet, or slow-healing sores. A venous Doppler checks the veins for a clot (DVT): book that for a swollen, painful or hot leg. If you are not sure which you need, call us and the team will advise.
Preparing for your Carotid Doppler Ultrasound (Neck Arteries)
On the day of your scan:
- Wear a low or open collar
- No fasting is required
Please notify the team if:
- You are pregnant or might be pregnant
- You have any open wounds or skin infections in the scanning area
- You have relevant medical history (diabetes, cardiac, blood thinners)
- You have allergies to latex or ultrasound gel
Your report
All diagnostic scans at MyScanHub are performed and reported by GMC-registered Consultant Radiologists or HCPC-registered Clinical Specialist Sonographers. Your written report is delivered securely to your patient portal within 72 hours.
You can download the report and your images from your patient account to share with your GP, physiotherapist or specialist, or add a GP consultation to talk the findings through. How to open and share your results.
Why consider a private Ultrasound scan for the carotid arteries?
When you need answers quickly — or when prior imaging has been inconclusive — a private Ultrasound at MyScanHub gives you timely access and specialist reporting without the wait.
Private scan benefits include:
- Fast access — same-day or next-day appointments, no waiting list
- Consultant radiologist or clinical specialist sonographer report within 72 hours
- Fully-private, CQC-registered, GDPR-compliant imaging centre
- Secure online access to your report and images, easy to share with your GP or specialist
Smarter scanning. Proactive health. Peace of mind.
Step 1
Choose
Pick a scan or a programme. No GP referral required.
Step 2
Book
Select a time online — same-day availability most weekdays.
Step 3
Scan
Be seen by specialists at our Dartford, Kent imaging centre.
Step 4
Results
Your written report within 72 hours, in your secure patient account.
Frequently asked questions
Will the scan tell me my risk of stroke?
It tells you whether the carotid arteries are narrowed and by roughly how much, which is one important part of stroke risk alongside blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes and smoking. The report is written to be acted on by your GP.
What happens if a severe narrowing is found?
You will be told on the day and advised to see your GP promptly. Significant narrowing is referred to a vascular specialist, who may recommend treatment to reduce the risk of stroke.
How long does the scan take?
About 20 minutes.
Do I need a GP referral?
No. You can book directly, and every scan is reported by a consultant radiologist or a clinical specialist sonographer. You can share the report with your GP afterwards.
When will I get my report?
Your written report, from a GMC-registered consultant radiologist or an HCPC-registered clinical specialist sonographer, is delivered securely to your patient account within 72 hours of your scan, with your images alongside it.
Where is the clinic?
Our imaging centre is at Bluewater Shopping Centre, Dartford, Kent (DA9 9ST), in the Guildhall Outer Car Park — free parking, a few minutes from junction 2 of the M25 and the A2. We're open Monday to Saturday 8am–9pm and Sunday 10am–5pm. Full directions are sent with your booking confirmation.
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Ready to book your Carotid Doppler Ultrasound (Neck Arteries)?
Book online in minutes. Same-day and next-day slots available most weekdays in Dartford, Kent. Reported by a consultant radiologist or clinical specialist sonographer within 72 hours.
At our clinic in Bluewater Shopping Centre, Dartford: free parking, open seven days. How to find us · All private ultrasound scans in Dartford & Kent