A carotid doppler scan is a painless, non-invasive, procedure that examines the blood flow through your carotid arteries; the arteries that deliver blood from your heart to your brain. A narrowing of these arteries, usually caused by a build-up of plaque, made of fat, cholesterol, calcium, or other substances within the bloodstream, could indicate a higher risk of stroke which may not otherwise have been detected.

Other uses of carotid doppler scans include to evaluate blood flow post-surgery, location of a blood clot which can disrupt blood flow within the body as well as detect other carotid abnormalities.