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A carotid ultrasound uses Doppler to check the arteries in your neck that supply the brain, looking for narrowing or plaque.
Also called: Carotid Doppler, Carotid duplex, Neck artery ultrasound, Carotid artery scan
Find a clinic for your carotid ultrasound
35 clinics offer bulk billing for ultrasound — eligibility varies
Where to get a carotid ultrasound
35 clinics across Melbourne and Victoria on Radly list carotid ultrasound among their services.
Clinics for a carotid ultrasound on Radly
See all 35 →
What is a carotid ultrasound?
The carotid arteries run up each side of your neck. During the scan you lie back with your head turned slightly while the sonographer follows each artery with the probe. Doppler measures how fast blood flows, which shows whether an artery is narrowed.
You may hear a whooshing sound during the scan; that is the blood flow being recorded. The test is painless and uses no radiation or dye.
Vascular ultrasound is a specialised study, so not every clinic offers it. The images are reviewed by a radiologist or vascular specialist.
Why your doctor might request a carotid ultrasound
- A recent mini-stroke (TIA) or stroke
- A whooshing sound (bruit) heard over the neck
- Dizziness or vision changes your doctor wants investigated
- Monitoring known carotid narrowing
- Assessing cardiovascular risk
Carotid ultrasound: preparation, referral & Medicare
Preparing for your carotid ultrasound
- No fasting is needed.
- Wear a top with an open neckline and remove necklaces.
- Bring previous vascular scan reports for comparison.
- If you have sudden weakness, facial droop or speech problems, call 000 immediately.
How long it takes: About 30–45 minutes
Referral, Medicare & bulk billing
A referral from your GP or specialist is needed for a Medicare rebate. Vascular ultrasound is more likely to carry an out-of-pocket gap than general ultrasound, though some clinics bulk bill eligible patients. The clinic confirms billing when it accepts your booking request.
How it works
Get your referral
Most scans need a referral from your GP, specialist, or other health practitioner.
Compare clinics
Find clinics near you for your carotid ultrasound and compare bulk billing, reviews, and location.
Send your request
Share your preferred timing and send the clinic your details and referral when available.
Clinic confirms
The clinic reviews your request and confirms your appointment and any preparation needed.
If the clinic hasn’t acknowledged your request after 24 hours, Radly will follow up. We check in by SMS during daytime hours where SMS is available and you haven’t opted out. Reply N if you haven’t been contacted and our team will follow up. Acknowledgment does not mean an appointment is booked.
Carotid ultrasound FAQs
What does a carotid Doppler show?
It shows plaque in the neck arteries and measures how much they are narrowed, which helps your doctor assess stroke risk.
Is a carotid ultrasound painful?
No. It is a gentle scan over the neck with gel and a probe.
Does every ultrasound clinic do carotid scans?
No. It is a specialised vascular study. Radly shows clinics that list vascular ultrasound so you can request one.
How do I book a carotid ultrasound online?
Choose a clinic on Radly, select Ultrasound as your scan, add your preferred timing and attach your referral, then send your booking request. The clinic contacts you to confirm the appointment and any preparation.
How soon can I get a carotid ultrasound?
Appointments for ultrasound are usually 1–3 days, depending on the clinic and the exam. You can send a request on Radly at any time, and the clinic replies with its next available time.
Related scans
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