What are cardiovascular ultrasounds?

Cardiovascular ultrasounds are diagnostic imaging procedures that allow your specialist to detect heart or blood vessel problems before they become serious.

Ultrasounds are noninvasive procedures that use sound waves to create pictures of structures inside your body. The procedure is fast and painless but can detect medical issues before complications develop.

Why might I need a cardiovascular ultrasound?

Your JAM Wellness Clinics specialist could recommend a cardiovascular ultrasound if they suspect you have one or more of the following conditions:

• Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
• Pulmonary embolism
• Blood clots
• Blocked or narrowed blood vessels
• Stroke or heart attack risk
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm
• Carotid artery disease (CAD)
• Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI)
• Heart disease
• Other heart or blood vessel issues

Your specialist may suggest a cardiovascular ultrasound if you have chest pain, upper arm pain, shortness of breath, or personal or family history of heart disease.

How should I prepare for cardiovascular ultrasounds?

There’s usually no special preparation needed before undergoing a cardiovascular ultrasound, but your provider might recommend you avoid eating a large meal before the procedure. They sometimes inject a special dye into your veins to make viewing parts of your heart or blood vessels easier.

What should I expect during cardiovascular ultrasounds?

During on-site cardiovascular ultrasounds, you lie still on an exam table. Your specialist applies a special gel to your skin and uses a handheld transducer to emit sound waves and get an in-depth picture of your heart and blood vessel health. They might ask you to change positions periodically during the procedure.

What happens after the procedure?

There's no downtime after cardiovascular ultrasounds at JAM Wellness Clinics; you can resume a normal routine right away. Your specialist reviews the results of the ultrasound with you.

If you have a heart or blood vessel problem, they could recommend making diet or exercise changes, taking medications, or undergoing a minor procedure to reduce the risk of serious complications. If needed, your provider could refer you to a specialist for a complex condition.

Call the office or schedule an appointment online today to learn more about on-site cardiovascular ultrasounds at JAM Wellness Clinics and find out if they’re right for you.