A vascular ultrasound scan, more commonly known as a VUS, uses high-frequency sound waves to create a detailed image of the blood vessels in your body. A VUS can help determine your risk of developing varicose veins, deep vein thrombosis, or DVT. If you’re already suffering from these conditions, it can provide valuable information regarding the status of your treatment and the likelihood of recurrence in the future. Learn more about your veins and how they affect your health with this guide to what a vascular ultrasound can tell you.
Benefits of Vascular Ultrasound
Vascular ultrasound is a painless, noninvasive test that uses sound waves to produce images of your veins. The test can help your doctor diagnose and treat conditions that affect your veins, such as blood clots, blockages, or varicose veins. It can also be used to check how well your veins are working and to monitor the progress of treatment for vein conditions.
Getting regular vascular ultrasounds is important for everyone, not just people with symptoms like swelling in their legs or a feeling of heaviness in their chest when standing up quickly. The procedure takes minutes for many people and has no side effects. If you’ve been diagnosed with vein disease but haven’t had an ultrasound yet, ask your doctor if one would be right for you – it could make all the difference!
What can your veins tell you?
Your veins are responsible for carrying blood throughout your body. They are essential for good circulation and vital to your overall health. Vascular ultrasound can help assess the condition of your veins and determine if there are any blockages or other problems. This information can then develop a treatment plan to improve your circulation and overall health. For example, when an obstruction is found, it may be treated with minimally invasive procedures such as balloon angioplasty, stenting, sclerotherapy, or surgery. It is important to have these screenings regularly so that serious vein issues do not go undetected.
A vascular ultrasound is a painless, noninvasive test that uses sound waves to produce images of your veins. The test can show if your veins are blocked, narrowed, or have other abnormalities. Vascular ultrasound can also help your doctor determine the cause of vein problems. For example, it may be necessary to prescribe an anti-inflammatory medication for an inflamed vein. It can also help doctors diagnose deep venous thrombosis (DVT) by showing whether blood flow in the leg is restricted or normal.
Sources:
- Ultrasound – Vascular. Radiological Society of North America, Inc. https://www.radiologyinfo.org/en/info/vascularus
- Frequently Asked Questions or What Can You Expect? UC Davis Health. https://health.ucdavis.edu/radiology/mymri/myexam/myvl/FAQ/vasfaq.html
- Vascular Ultrasound. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/17606-vascular-ultrasound
