Dopplers

Best Doppler Test in Hyderabad, India

A Doppler ultrasound is an imaging test performed to see the flow of blood through blood vessels using high-frequency sound waves. It is a safe, painless, and noninvasive test. It is similar to normal ultrasound because both use sound waves to create images. The only difference is that the normal ultrasound can only be used to see the images of the organs and it cannot be used to show the images of blood flow. 

What is the purpose of a Doppler test?

Dopplers are used by doctors to find out if there is any condition that is reducing or blocking the flow of blood in your body. It is used for diagnosing heart diseases. It is also useful for checking the functioning of the heart. It helps to look for any blockages in the blood flow in the legs thus causing deep vein thrombosis.

It also helps in determining the narrowing of the blood vessels. Narrowing of arteries in the legs means that you are suffering from a condition called peripheral arterial disease and if there is a narrowing of arteries of the neck it means that you have a condition called carotid artery disease. 

Types of Doppler Ultrasound Test 

There are different types of Doppler tests and they include:

• Color Doppler: In this type of Doppler test, a computer is used for changing sound waves into different colors. The colors help to show the direction and speed of blood flow in the body.
• Power Doppler: It is the latest type of Doppler test. It helps to get more details about the blood flow in the body than the standard Doppler test. But, the drawback of using this Doppler is that it does not show the direction of blood flow which may be an important requirement in some cases. 
• Spectral Doppler: In this type of Doppler test, the flow of blood can be seen on a graph as compared to the color pictures. This is used to see the blockage in a blood vessel.
• Duplex Doppler: In this type of Doppler test, normal ultrasound is used to take images of blood vessels and other organs. Then, the images are converted into graphs using a computer. 
• Continuous-wave Doppler: In this type of Doppler test, continuous sound waves are sent and received. It helps in better measurement of blood flow at a fast speed. 

What are the risks of a Doppler ultrasound?

A Doppler ultrasound is a safe and noninvasive test with minimal risks. Unlike angiograms that involve injectable contrast dyes or imaging techniques like X-rays and CT scans that use radiation, Doppler ultrasounds do not require such elements. Additionally, ultrasounds are painless and pose no harm, making them suitable even for pregnant individuals.

How is a Doppler ultrasound performed?

Before the test

Before the test, you have to prepare in the following way:

• You will be asked to avoid smoking at least two hours before the test. Nicotine present in cigarettes will cause a narrowing of the blood vessels that can affect the results of the test. 

• You should wear any metal objects or jewelry, especially in the area where you are getting tested. 

• For some Doppler tests, you may be asked not to eat or drink for many hours before the test. 

• The doctor will give you any other instructions based on your specific health problems.

During the test

The doppler test in Hyderabad is done in the following way:

It is a painless, non-invasive, and simple procedure and can be done in the doctor’s clinic or the radiology department of a hospital. 

• You will lie down on a table and will be asked to expose the area of your body that has to be tested. A doctor will spread a gel on the skin over the area that has to be tested. 

• The nurse may tie cuffs on different parts of your body such as arms and legs to measure your blood pressure while doing the test. 

• Now, the doctor will move a wand-like device which is called a transducer over the area of your body. The device will send sound waves into your body.

• The movement of blood cells in your body will produce a change in the pitch of the sound waves. You can hear swishing sounds during the test. 

• The sound waves are recorded and images or graphs are formed on a monitor. 

After the test

After the test is finished, the doctor or the available nurse will wipe off the gel from your body.

It will take about half an hour to one hour for the test to get completed.

You can go back home after the test and resume your normal activities. You can drive home and there is no need to bring anyone along with you to drive you back home after the test. 

What do the Doppler Ultrasound Results Mean? 

If the results of the Doppler ultrasound are normal, it indicates that you do not have a blockage or clot or aneurysm (a balloon-like swelling in the arteries) in an artery, the blood flow is normal, and there is no narrowing of the blood vessels.

CARE Hospitals is one of the best centres to undergo the Doppler test and doppler cost in Hyderabad. If you have any questions related to the doppler test or the test results you can talk to the doctors at CARE Hospitals who are available to give answers to your questions.