Ultrasound Specialist

Cardiology Associates of Frederick

Cardiologists located in Frederick, MD

Ultrasound is a safe and painless diagnostic procedure that produces detailed images of your organs and blood vessels, showing blood flow, blockages, and other problems in your arteries and veins. The board-certified providers at Cardiology Associates of Frederick offer the convenience of ultrasound imaging in the office, so you don’t need to travel to another clinic to get the care you need. To schedule an appointment, call the office in Frederick, Maryland, or use the online booking feature today.

Ultrasound Q & A

What is ultrasound?

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the tissues and organs inside your body. When you get an ultrasound, your provider uses a handheld device called a transducer.

The transducer sends sound waves into your body, where they bounce off the structures they encounter and return to the transducer. After the transducer sends the information to a computer, the computer turns them into images.

What conditions are diagnosed with ultrasound?

Cardiology Associates of Frederick diagnoses a range of conditions by performing:

Carotid ultrasound

The carotid arteries in your neck carry oxygen-rich blood to the brain. When these arteries are clogged with cholesterol and fatty plaque, a condition called atherosclerosis, the lack of blood may lead to a transient ischemic attack or stroke. A carotid ultrasound reveals the presence of plaque and shows the extent of the blockage.

Abdominal ultrasound

Your provider uses an abdominal ultrasound to get images of your liver, gallbladder, spleen, pancreas, kidneys, and the blood vessels serving these organs. This type of ultrasound diagnoses problems like blood clots in the inferior vena cava and aneurysms or atherosclerosis in the aorta.

Renal ultrasound

Cardiology Associates of Frederick performs renal ultrasound to assess the size and shape of your kidneys and to assess blood flow to the kidneys. The ultrasound can reveal problems like narrowed renal arteries, cysts, tumors, blockages, kidney stones, and infections.

Lower extremity ultrasound

Lower extremity ultrasound reveals vascular conditions in your legs such as blood clots, atherosclerosis, and venous insufficiency.

What type of ultrasound might I receive?

A conventional ultrasound shows the structures of your blood vessels and organs. Another type, called a Doppler ultrasound, shows blood flowing through your veins and arteries. In many cases, Cardiology Associates of Frederick performs a duplex ultrasound, which combines both techniques to produce a more detailed image.

What should I expect during the ultrasound?

During your ultrasound, you simply relax on the exam table. Your provider applies ultrasound gel and then places the transducer on your skin. Then they move the transducer around to get the best image.

You may feel the pressure of the transducer, but you should never feel pain or discomfort. Most ultrasound exams take about 30-45 minutes. Then your provider needs to interpret the images before talking with you about the results.

To learn more about ultrasound, call Cardiology Associates of Frederick or book an appointment online today.

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