Carotid Ultrasound Singapore: Purpose, Procedure and Results

Published on 08 October 2025

Male patient receiving carotid ultrasound screening at HOP Medical Centre Singapore with sonographer performing neck artery examination

What is a Carotid Ultrasound?

If you’re looking for carotid ultrasound Singapore services, you’ve come to the right place. A carotid ultrasound, also known as carotid duplex ultrasound or carotid Doppler ultrasound, is a non-invasive imaging test that examines the carotid arteries in your neck. These vital blood vessels carry oxygen-rich blood from your heart to your brain, making their health crucial for preventing strokes and other serious cardiovascular conditions.

At HOP Medical Centre, we include carotid ultrasound screening in select executive health screening packages, providing Singaporeans with early detection capabilities that can potentially save lives.

Why Do You Need a Carotid Ultrasound in Singapore?

Understanding Carotid Artery Disease

Your carotid arteries can develop plaque buildup—a condition called atherosclerosis. This narrowing of the arteries reduces blood flow to your brain and increases your risk of stroke. According to the Singapore Stroke Registry, stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and disability in Singapore, making early detection through carotid ultrasound Singapore screening particularly valuable.

Who Should Consider Carotid Ultrasound Screening?

You may benefit from a carotid artery ultrasound if you:

Are over 60 years old
Have high blood pressure or high cholesterol
Have diabetes
Are a current or former smoker
Have a family history of stroke or heart disease
Have experienced symptoms like transient ischemic attacks (mini-strokes)
Have been diagnosed with coronary artery disease
Lead a sedentary lifestyle with poor dietary habits

Even without symptoms, proactive screening helps identify problems before they become serious health emergencies. Many of our corporate health screening clients in Singapore now include carotid ultrasound as part of their comprehensive wellness programs.

The Carotid Ultrasound Procedure: What to Expect

Before Your Appointment

One of the greatest advantages of carotid ultrasound is that it requires minimal preparation. You can:

Eat and drink normally before the test
Take your regular medications
Wear comfortable clothing with an open neckline
Remove any necklaces or jewelry around your neck area

The entire procedure typically takes only 20-30 minutes, making it convenient to include in your comprehensive health screening at HOP Medical Centre.

During the Procedure

Here’s what happens during your carotid ultrasound Singapore appointment at our facility:

Step 1: Positioning You’ll lie comfortably on your back on an examination table with your head slightly turned to the side. A small pillow may be placed under your head for comfort.

Step 2: Gel Application Our trained sonographer will apply a clear, water-based gel to both sides of your neck. This gel helps the ultrasound transducer (a small handheld device) move smoothly over your skin and ensures clear image transmission.

Step 3: Imaging The sonographer gently moves the transducer along your neck, capturing real-time images of your carotid arteries. You may hear whooshing sounds—this is the Doppler technology measuring blood flow velocity through your arteries. The procedure is completely painless and radiation-free, similar to other ultrasound services we offer.

Step 4: Both Sides Examined Both your left and right carotid arteries will be examined thoroughly to assess blood flow and detect any abnormalities.

After the Procedure

There’s no recovery time needed after your carotid ultrasound. You can immediately return to your normal daily activities. The gel will be wiped off, and you’re free to go about your day.

Understanding Your Carotid Ultrasound Results

What the Test Measures

The carotid ultrasound Singapore test evaluates several key factors:

Blood Flow Velocity The test measures how fast blood flows through your carotid arteries. Abnormally high velocity may indicate narrowing or blockage.

Plaque Buildup The ultrasound can visualize plaque deposits on artery walls, assessing their size, location, and composition.

Artery Blockage Percentage Results indicate the degree of stenosis (narrowing):

Normal: Less than 50% blockage
Moderate: 50-69% blockage
Severe: 70% or greater blockage

Artery Structure The test examines the artery walls for abnormalities like aneurysms or dissections.

Interpreting Your Results

At HOP Medical Centre, each carotid ultrasound report is personally examined by our experienced doctors. Your results will typically be available within one week as part of your comprehensive health screening package.

Normal Results If your carotid arteries show no significant plaque buildup and blood flow is normal, you’ll receive guidance on maintaining your cardiovascular health through lifestyle choices and regular monitoring.

Abnormal Results If the test reveals narrowing or plaque buildup, our doctors will provide a detailed consultation to discuss:

The severity of your condition
Your stroke risk assessment
Recommended lifestyle modifications
Potential medication needs
Whether additional tests or specialist referrals are necessary
Follow-up screening schedules

Benefits of Carotid Ultrasound Screening in Singapore

Early Detection Saves Lives

Carotid artery disease often develops silently without symptoms. By the time symptoms appear, you may already be at significant risk for stroke. Regular carotid ultrasound Singapore screening detects problems early when they’re most treatable.

Non-Invasive and Safe

Unlike other imaging tests:

No radiation exposure
No needles or injections required
No contrast dye needed
Completely painless
No side effects

Stroke Prevention

Identifying carotid artery disease through carotid ultrasound allows for early intervention through medication, lifestyle changes, or in severe cases, surgical procedures. This proactive approach significantly reduces your stroke risk—a critical concern given Singapore’s aging population as reported by the Ministry of Health Singapore.

Comprehensive Health Insight

Carotid ultrasound results provide valuable information about your overall cardiovascular health, often prompting beneficial changes in diet, exercise, and medical management. We often combine this with other imaging services like ECG and chest X-rays for complete cardiovascular assessment.

Carotid Ultrasound at HOP Medical Centre Singapore

Why Choose HOP for Your Carotid Ultrasound?

State-of-the-Art Equipment Our modern medical facilities in Orchard and Tampines are equipped with advanced ultrasound technology, ensuring high-quality, accurate carotid ultrasound Singapore imaging.

Experienced Medical Team With over 20 years of experience in health screening and having screened more than 800,000 patients, our team brings unmatched expertise to every carotid ultrasound examination.

Integrated Health Screening We include carotid ultrasound as part of comprehensive executive health screening packages, allowing you to assess multiple aspects of your health in one convenient visit. Our packages also include mammograms, Pap smears, and comprehensive blood tests.

Fast Results with Doctor Consultation Receive your personalized carotid ultrasound report within one week, complete with a post-screening doctor consultation at no additional charge. Our doctors take time to explain your results and answer all your questions.

Convenient Locations Choose between our Orchard Road facility at Palais Renaissance or our Tampines location at the CPF Building—both offering the same high-quality carotid ultrasound Singapore care.

Our Health Screening Packages with Carotid Ultrasound

Carotid ultrasound is available in our Executive Health Screening packages, which include:

Comprehensive blood tests and cancer markers
ECG and other cardiac assessments
Full body health evaluation
Radiology and imaging services
Personalized health report and consultation

Taking Control of Your Cardiovascular Health

Regular health screening is one of the most important investments you can make in your long-term wellbeing. For Singaporeans concerned about stroke prevention and cardiovascular health, carotid ultrasound screening offers a safe, effective way to monitor your carotid arteries and take preventive action when needed.

Schedule Your Carotid Ultrasound Singapore Today

Don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Proactive screening with carotid ultrasound can detect problems before they become life-threatening emergencies.

HOP Medical Centre – Orchard 390 Orchard Road, #11-03/04 Palais Renaissance Singapore 238871

HOP Medical Centre – Tampines 1 Tampines Central 5, #07-04/05 CPF Building Singapore 529508

Ready to prioritize your health? Contact HOP Medical Centre today to schedule your comprehensive health screening package with carotid ultrasound Singapore included. Our experienced team is here to support your journey toward optimal health and wellbeing.

For more information about our services, visit our pages on corporate health screening, home-based screening, and radiology services.

With a proven track record of serving over 500 corporate clients annually and screening 45,000+ patients each year, HOP Medical Centre is Singapore’s trusted partner for comprehensive carotid ultrasound and health screening services. Experience the difference that 20 years of specialized expertise makes in your preventive healthcare journey.