Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure

Stroke is a condition in which the blood flow to the brain is interrupted due to blockage or rupture of blood vessels, causing serious brain damage. In Vietnam, the incidence of stroke is increasing, not only in the elderly but also in young people.

In particular, many cases have no warning signs, and by the time the disease develops, it has left serious consequences. Therefore, early detection of risk factors such as narrowed blood vessels, atherosclerotic plaques or abnormal blood circulation is extremely necessary. Among current diagnostic methods, vascular Doppler ultrasound is considered a useful, simple and inexpensive tool.

What is vascular Doppler ultrasound?

Doppler ultrasound is a technique that uses ultrasound waves to record images and blood flow in the vessels. Thanks to the Doppler principle, doctors can observe the speed, direction and flow of blood. This technique is often applied to examine the carotid artery system, cerebral arteries, arteries of the limbs and other important blood vessels.

Doppler ultrasound results not only show the flow status but also help detect abnormalities such as:

Narrowing or blockage of blood vessels due to atherosclerosis
Blood clot moving in the blood vessels
Thickened or less elastic blood vessel walls
Abnormal flow rate increases the risk of thrombosis

The role of Doppler ultrasound in detecting stroke risk

1. Detection of carotid artery stenosis

The carotid artery is the main blood vessel that carries blood from the heart to the brain. When this artery is narrowed by atherosclerosis, blood flow to the brain is restricted, increasing the risk of cerebral ischemia and stroke. Doppler ultrasound helps measure the degree of narrowing and assess the level of danger so that timely intervention can be taken.

2. Assessment of atherosclerotic plaque status

Plaque is the most common risk factor for stroke. Using Doppler ultrasound, doctors can observe the structure of plaque, see if it is stable or fragile, thereby predicting the possibility of blood clots forming and causing cerebral blockage.

3. Detect blood clots and abnormal flow

Thrombosis is a blood clot that can travel through the bloodstream and block a blood vessel in the brain. Doppler ultrasound can detect the presence of a thrombus as well as abnormal changes in blood flow early, helping to prevent the risk of a stroke from occurring suddenly.

4. Support patient monitoring after treatment

For patients who have undergone angioplasty, stent placement, or vascular surgery, Doppler ultrasound is a safe means to monitor treatment effectiveness and detect early restenosis.

When should Doppler ultrasound be performed to prevent stroke?

Not only the elderly, patients with a history of stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes or dyslipidemia need to be screened, but even young people with a sedentary lifestyle, who smoke and drink a lot of alcohol should also be screened.

Cases where vascular Doppler ultrasound should be performed:

People with a family history of heart disease or stroke
People with high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity
People with high cholesterol or atherosclerosis
People who often have headaches, dizziness, blurred vision or transient numbness
People who have had vascular intervention and need regular monitoring

Advantages of Doppler ultrasound in stroke screening

Doppler ultrasound is a non-invasive, painless, and X-ray-free diagnostic method, so it is very safe. The implementation time is fast, the results are clear, the cost is reasonable, and it can be repeated many times to monitor the condition of blood vessels. This is the reason why this technique is recommended by doctors in periodic stroke screening.

Conclude

Stroke is a dangerous disease but can be prevented if risk factors are detected early. Doppler ultrasound of blood vessels plays an important role in detecting arterial stenosis, atherosclerotic plaques or blood clots, thereby helping doctors to develop appropriate treatment and prevention regimens.

Proactively performing regular Doppler ultrasound, especially in high-risk individuals, is key to protecting brain health and reducing the risk of future stroke.

Source: https://skr.vn/vai-tro-sieu-am-doppler-trong-phat-hien-nguy-co-dot-quy/