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The objective of vascular testing is to detect the blockage and narrowing of blood vessels in the human body. The Vascular testing system is based on the ultrasound technology. Medical scientists leverage the Doppler Effect technique to capture real time Doppler images of blood flow through our arteries and veins. A vascular ultrasound or vascular Doppler test helps medical practitioners detect and locate blood clot, swelling arteries and blockages in the arms and legs by looking at the real time images.

Process of vascular testing

Though is uses complex radiological device and equipment the process of Vascular testing is quite simple. Non-invasive test such as ultrasound, recording of pulse volume and segmental arterial pressures are performed on the patient to detect cardio vascular disease. Large machines are used to capture images and videos of blood vessels and flow of blood using color Doppler and pulse Doppler imaging techniques.

First, a gel based ointment is applied on the parts of the body to be examined. Then a transducer is pressed against the skin and moved slowly over the area. If required blood pressure cuffs are also tied around the arms and legs of the patient for taking reading.

The transducer sends high frequency sound waves that penetrates through skin (though it sounds scary actually there is no pain involved in the process) and captures the waves that are echoed. The sonic signals then transmitted to a computer which converts ultrasound signals to series of images which in turn displayed on a video monitor. The images are recorded for future analyses.

Once the process is complete the radiologist of the vascular laboratory analyzes and evaluates the images and prepares a detailed report for the physician who has referred the patient for vascular testing. Radiologists are specially trained to interpret the ultrasound signals.

When you Need Vascular testing

When symptoms of cardio vascular disease surfaces the next step to medical check-up would be vascular Doppler testing for the final diagnosis. However, it is the physician who specifies the vascular test depending on the signs and symptoms in the patient.

Symptoms of arterial disease include –

  • Heaviness in arms and legs
  • Coldness in legs and feet
  • Muscle pull or cramping in calf and thigh, especially while walking or climbing stairs
  • Unhealed sores on toe or foot
  • Weak or absent pulses in legs
  • Hair loss and shiny skin on legs

Symptoms of other vascular diseases

Irregular blood flow, blood clots can also happen to veins. Sudden pain and swelling of arms (upper extremities) and legs (lower extremities), ulcers not healing in ankle area, swelling veins are indicative of venous disease whereas stroke, weakness or numbness in the body and loss of vision and speech are symptoms of cerebrovascular disease.

Such vascular symptoms need immediate attention unless it can prove fatal. Therefore, vascular testing when prescribed by the doctor should be your highest priority. The sooner the problem is detected the better it is for the patient.

Those who are regular smoker or suffering from diabetes and hypertension must have vascular testing or screening done periodically after the age of 50 as precautionary measure.

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