Everything You Need to Know About Vascular Studies in Maryland

Vascular studies are just one of the many services that Bowie Health Internal Medicine offers here in Maryland. Let’s take a closer look at what vascular studies all entail. 

What Are Vascular Studies?

Vascular studies are exams and studies that check the blood flow in your arteries and veins. These tests are non-invasive, which means that there are no needles involved. The studies are both safe and painless and you will most likely not feel any discomfort during the procedure. Instead, vascular studies use high-frequency sound waves to measure and study the blood flow through your arteries and veins. The sound waves move through your skin and other body tissues to get to the blood vessels. Then the sound waves echo off the blood cells and finally, the echoes are then sent to a computer and seen on a screen as either images or a video.  

What Kinds of Equipment Is Used?

Vascular studies may use one of these special types of ultrasound technology to study the arteries and veins. 

• Doppler ultrasound. This technology allows a healthcare provider to see blood flow through arteries and veins. The amount of blood pumped with each heartbeat is a sign of how large a vessel’s opening is. A Doppler ultrasound can also find abnormal blood flow in a vessel, which may mean there is a blockage.  

• Color Doppler. This is an enhanced form of Doppler ultrasound. It uses different colors to show the direction of blood flow.

Why Do I Need a Vascular Study?

There are several different health problems that could cause symptoms and signs that your blood flow is constricted including the following.

• Atherosclerosis - a clogged artery 

• Aneurysm - an enlargement of part of the heart muscle

• Thrombus or embolus - a blood clot that is in the blood vessel

• Inflammatory conditions - swelling in a blood vessel

• Varicose veins - large or bulging veins in the legs.

Symptoms that may mean you need a vascular study done include 

• Leg pain or weakness during exertion

• Swelling

• Soreness, tenderness, redness, or warmth in the leg

• Pale and cool skin may even be a grayish or blue color

• Numbness or tingling

• Foot pain that occurs when sitting or lying down, and is relieved by standing

Types of Vascular Studies

Pulse volume recording (PVR) study. This is done to assess blood flow in your arms or legs. Blood pressure cuffs are inflated on your arm or leg, and the blood pressure there is measured using the Doppler probe.

Carotid duplex scan. This type of Doppler exam checks the carotid arteries in your neck. It gives a 2D (2-dimensional) image of the arteries. This can show the structure of the arteries, the blocked area, and how well blood is flowing.

Carotid artery duplex scan. This type of vascular ultrasound can check for blockages or narrowing (stenosis) of the carotid arteries in your neck. It can also check the branches of the carotid artery.

Vascular Studies in Maryland

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, it is important that you contact a doctor and schedule an appointment. Bowie Internal Medicine is committed to treating any conditions you may have, as well as preventing further health complications through preventative care. Please contact our office to schedule an appointment or ask any questions.