What Is a Carotid IMT Screening?

A Carotid IMT screening is a simple ultrasound test that looks at the carotid arteries in your neck. These are the blood vessels that carry blood to your brain. These vital arteries can give helpful information about your overall vascular health.

During the screening, we measure the thickness of the artery wall. This is called intima-media thickness, or IMT. Over time, the artery walls can become thicker, and plaque can begin to build up. These changes may be linked to a higher cardiovascular risk.

We also look for signs of plaque in the carotid arteries. Plaque is a buildup inside the artery that can develop over time. Measuring artery wall thickness and looking for plaque can help give a clearer picture of your vascular health.

What Your Results Show

Your report will include your carotid artery measurements and compare them with normal reference ranges based on your age and sex. This helps estimate your vascular age.

Your vascular age may be similar to, younger than, or older than your actual age.

If your vascular age is higher than your actual age, it may indicate that your arteries are aging faster than expected. This can be a wake-up call to take a closer look at lifestyle habits and health factors that affect your heart and blood vessels, such as:

• Smoking
• Blood sugar control
• Diet
• Exercise
• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol

This information can help you better understand where you stand today and encourage healthy changes that support better long-term heart health.

Your report will also show where you fall on a cardiovascular risk scale. This gives you another way to understand your results and see how your artery health compares with expected ranges.

Screening provides helpful insight and greater awareness of your vascular health. Many people find it motivating to see their results in a clear, visual way.

This screening is intended for preventive wellness and education only. Our goal is to promote healthy lifestyles and help educate our community through greater awareness of vascular health.

Ready to learn your vascular age?

Schedule your screening through the link below.