Carotid Ultrasound Procedure
– At the reception desk present your Alberta Health Card (or provincial equivalent).
– Your blood pressure will be taken – the blood pressure cuff will become very tight on your arm. Please tell us if you cannot use an arm for a medical reason.
– We will weigh you.
– During your scan the sonographer will ask you to turn your head up and to the right and left. The gel used helps the sonographer see the arteries in your neck.
– The transducer will be moved up and down your neck.
– Sometimes the images have to be checked. If that is the case the Sonographer will ask you to wait in the scan room or the waiting room.
– You are now free to go home. You do NOT have to check out at the front desk.
Echocardiogram Procedure
– At the reception desk and present your Alberta Health Card (or provincial equivalent).
– You will be asked to undress from the waist up. If you are a female a gown will be given to you.
– Your blood pressure will be taken – the blood pressure cuff will become very tight on your arm. Please tell us if you cannot use an arm for a medical reason.
– The sonographer will attach 3 ECG leads on your chest so your heart beat can be recorded during the test. You will then be asked to lie on your left side if possible – this puts the heart in the best position.
– The transducer is put in 4 positions on your chest with gel going in those same positions – mid chest, below the armpit, just above the stomach and just under your chin just below your voice box.
– At times you may have to be repositioned – that is normal and has everything to do with your body type and how your heart is positioned in your chest.
– When you are done you can sit up. You will be asked to clean the gel off of your chest.
– Sometimes the images have to be checked. If that is the case the sonographer will ask you to wait in the scan room or the waiting room.
– You are now free to go home. You do NOT have to check out at the front desk.
You will be asked to undress from the waist up. If you are a female a gown will be given to you to maintain your privacy.
