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The aorta is a vital large artery that travels from your heart through your abdomen. John Terzian, MD, FACC, and the team at Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, in West Bridgewater, Massachusetts, perform abdominal aortic ultrasounds to evaluate blood flow through the aorta. This could be life-saving if you have an aortic aneurysm, so request a screening aortic ultrasound if you’re at risk. Call Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, today for an assessment or request an appointment online.
Abdominal Aortic Ultrasound Q & A
What is an abdominal aortic ultrasound?
Abdominal aortic ultrasounds are noninvasive imaging procedures. They can identify and help diagnose heart and vascular problems.
The cardiac testing team at Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC’s uses the latest technology for the most accurate diagnosis. Testing is onsite for patient convenience.
How does an abdominal aortic ultrasound work?
Ultrasound uses painless high-frequency sound waves. The sound travels through a transducer — an instrument that passes over your body — into your tissues. Unlike X-rays, which best display bones and solid objects, ultrasound is particularly good at illustrating the organs and other soft tissues.
Sound waves leave the transducer, enter your body, and echo back as they hit soft tissues. The variations in these sound wave echoes produce images of your internal organs on a monitor.
An abdominal aortic ultrasound focuses on the aorta, the primary blood vessel from your heart through your abdomen.
What can an abdominal aortic ultrasound diagnose?
Abdominal aortic ultrasounds can help detect various cardiovascular diseases, including:
- Blood clots
- Narrowed vessels
- Aortic aneurysms
An aortic aneurysm develops if the blood vessel walls weaken and balloon with blood. You can have an aneurysm for months or years without realizing it; however, it could be life-threatening if it ruptures.
You might require an abdominal aortic ultrasound if your symptoms suggest a problem with blood flow through the aorta. People at risk of an aortic aneurysm should undergo screening ultrasounds regularly because the condition causes no symptoms until it becomes life-threatening.
What happens during an abdominal aortic ultrasound?
An abdominal aortic ultrasound typically takes around 30 minutes. You lie on your back on the examination table, and your provider spreads a small quantity of gel over your abdomen. They glide the transducer over your skin, creating images of the aorta that Dr. Terzian can evaluate.
You don’t need downtime after an abdominal aortic ultrasound and can return to your usual routine. Dr. Terzian will discuss your ultrasound results later on, create a customized treatment plan for you, or recommend further screenings.
If the ultrasound detects a small aneurysm, you may require frequent scans to monitor its growth. If you have a large aneurysm, Dr. Terzian will refer you to a vascular surgeon for surgery.
Call Bridgewater Primary Care & Cardiology, LLC, for answers to any questions you have about abdominal aortic ultrasounds. You can also make an appointment by phone or via the online booking feature.