How do I know if I have carotid disease?

Ultrasound is the best way to identify patients with atherosclerosis involving the carotid arteries and determine the severity of the narrowing and thereby the risk of stroke. Ultrasound is a non-invasive test that uses high frequency sound waves to obtain images or extent of the disease. It is not painful and does not require any injection or radiation. Ideally it should be performed by an experienced vascular sonographer who understands the assessment of patients with carotid disease. It does however only examine the carotid arteries in the neck, additional studies may be required to examine the arteries in the brain.