Doppler Test
A Doppler test, or Doppler scan, is a non-invasive, quick, and painless test to assess blood flow in your body. It can diagnose a range of conditions, including heart problems and complications in pregnancy.
What is a Doppler test?
A Doppler test, Doppler scan, or Doppler ultrasound is a non-invasive imaging test that assesses blood flow in your body. It can be used to diagnose a wide range of conditions, from heart problems to complications in pregnancy.
Doppler scans work by emitting sound waves that bounce off moving blood cells, allowing your consultant to measure the speed and direction of blood flow.
At Welbeck, Doppler tests are conducted in our state-of-the-art Imaging & Diagnostics centre as well as our Heart Health centre. Our experienced healthcare professionals are dedicated to providing world-class care and use the most advanced tools and techniques to ensure you receive an accurate diagnosis and the best possible treatment for your condition.
Why you might need a Doppler test
Your consultant may perform a Doppler test on your heart, known as a Doppler echocardiogram, if you experience any of the following heart-related symptoms:
shortness of breath
chest pain
dizziness or fainting
irregular heartbeats
Doppler tests can also detect several other medical conditions, including:
blood clots, including deep vein thrombosis (DVT)
arterial occlusion (blocked arteries)
aneurysms
poor valve function in your limbs
decreased blood circulation in the legs (peripheral artery disease)
Doppler tests in pregnancy
If you’re pregnant, your consultant may conduct a Doppler test to check fetal blood circulation and make sure the placenta is supplying enough oxygen and nutrients to your baby. The test can also be used to help diagnose potential complications in pregnancy, such as fetal distress or restricted growth.
Types of Doppler devices
There are 2 main types of devices used for Doppler tests:
Clinical Dopplers
Clinical Dopplers are used in hospitals and clinics by trained medical professionals. These advanced machines provide the highest quality and most detailed and accurate readings.
At-home Dopplers
At-home Dopplers are often marketed for pregnancy and allow you to listen to your baby's heartbeat. However, they lack the precision needed for medical diagnosis. We advise against purchasing Dopplers online to use at home, as medical training is required for safe and proper use.
More information
A Doppler test is quick and painless, usually taking between 15 and 45 minutes, depending on the area being examined.
Our team will apply a gel to your skin and then gently move a handheld probe over the area to assess blood flow. The probe will send sound waves into your body, and live images will be produced on a screen.
When the test is complete, any remaining gel will be wiped from your skin, and you’ll be able to leave.
Doppler tests are very safe and have not been linked to any health issues or side effects.
They’re sometimes used in place of MRI scans and X-rays as they are non-invasive, quick, and free from radiation exposure. They also don’t require you to have a contrast agent (dye) injected to make the images clearer.
At Welbeck, a Doppler test can often be performed on the same day as your initial consultation.
However, depending on the area of your body being scanned, you may need to fast (not eat or drink) before the test, as well as not smoking or using nicotine products for at least 2 hours before. You may, therefore, need to book an appointment to have your scan on another day.
You won’t need to follow any recovery or aftercare instructions after a Doppler test. You can go about your normal activities immediately afterwards.
Your consultant will explain the findings of your Doppler test and discuss any next steps. If they detect any abnormalities, they may need to run further tests or offer treatments. They’ll let you know if this is the case.
Please contact our Imaging & Diagnostics centre or Heart Health centre for pricing information.
At Welbeck, our radiologists are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.
With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.
All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.
To book a Doppler test, you must be referred by either your GP or a specialist following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this test.
If you would like to schedule a consultation with a Welbeck specialist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.
Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.
Our specialists
Dr Charis CostopoulosConsultant Cardiologist
Dr Amit BhanConsultant Cardiologist
Dr Anish BhuvaConsultant Cardiologist
Dr Robin ChungConsultant Cardiologist
Dr Ben AriffConsultant Radiologist
Dr Ozan DemirConsultant Cardiologist
Dr Nay AungConsultant Cardiologist
Dr Ceri DaviesConsultant Radiologist
Dr Ankur GulatiConsultant Cardiologist
Our locations
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Frequently asked questions
You may need a Doppler test on your penis to help diagnose erectile dysfunction or penile vascular abnormalities caused by blood flow issues.
A testicular Doppler test may be required to investigate symptoms including testicular pain, swelling or lumps, suspected testicular torsion, or varicoceles (enlarged veins in your scrotum).
A Doppler test on your leg can check for deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or peripheral artery disease (PAD). You may need a test if you experience swelling, pain or tenderness, discolouration, or ulcers that won’t heal.
Your consultant may perform a Doppler test on your foot if you experience cold feet, numbness, tingling, slow-healing wounds, or have a suspected blockage in your arteries.