What’s a Vascular Ultrasound, and Why Would I Get One?

Date: November 22, 2022

Ultrasounds, CT scans, MRIs, X-rays, nuclear medicine imaging, positron-emission tomography (PET), and other imaging can be confusing. There’s a procedure to image one from head to toe–even your heart. Vascular ultrasound images vessels of the abdomen, neck, upper and lower extremities. 

Health consumers are accustomed to cute black-and-white ultrasound images announcing a birth or celebrating a gender reveal. However, most people look puzzled when you mention vascular ultrasound. Much like traditional ultrasounds, using soundwaves to capture health information, vascular ultrasounds work to capture images of the vessels. 

According to RadiologyInfo.org, “Vascular ultrasounds evaluate the body’s circulatory system and help identify blockages within the arteries and veins. Simultaneously, the procedure detects blood clots. A Doppler ultrasound study, which evaluates blood flow through a blood vessel, is usually part of this exam.”¹ In short, a vascular ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves, which create detailed images of soft tissue and blood vessels.²

When Do You Need a Vascular Ultrasound?

Generally, a provider orders this procedure when they suspect a patient has blood clots or peripheral artery disease. Additionally, a doctor may use the procedure to assess if one is a good “candidate for angioplasty or to check blood vessel health after a bypass.”² Generally, the test is given if one exhibits the following symptoms:

• Burning feeling or swelling in the legs.
• Muscle atrophy.
• Pain in the buttocks, hips, thighs, or calves.
• Leg sores (ulcers) that don’t heal.

Moreover, healthcare providers may also use this test to check blood flow to organs. Other times a vascular ultrasound is prescribed if one received an organ transplant. Correspondingly, providers may also order a vascular ultrasound exam to see if a patient is a good angioplasty candidate or to check blood vessel health after venous disease bypass surgery.

How Does One Become a Vascular Ultrasound Technologist?

While there are multiple ways into the profession, one entry-level venue is to gain an Associate degree in Vascular Ultrasound Technology. Comparatively, Gurnick Academy offers an Associate of Occupational Science in Vascular Ultrasound Technology (A.O.S. in VUT) program. 

By and large, the program seeks to prepare future professionals to work in the industry. Additionally, our coursework utilizes didactic, laboratory, and internship education. In short, our 18-month* course prepares competent entry-level vascular sonographers in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains. 

Where Does One Work in This Field?

Program graduates are often qualified to work in hospitals, imaging centers, physicians’ offices, and clinics. Of note, our Vascular Concentration Program is CAAHEP accredited. In comparison, the course overview includes vascular anatomy and physiology, 2D, pulse, and pulse doppler and color doppler. Vascular pathology and methods of interpretation are also covered. By and large, students are prepared to sit for ARDMS or CCI exams upon graduation.

Openings in Vascular Imaging

Overall, cardiovascular technology is only expected to expand. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, approximately 10,100 openings for medical sonographers and cardiovascular technologists are projected each year over the next decade.³ Further, employment growth for the profession is expected to be upward of 10 percent from 2021–2031.³ 

Considered A Good Profession

Moreover, as a role, vascular technologists receive high rankings within multiple core employment areas. So much so, US News ranked the profession #30 out of 100 Best’ Healthcare Support Jobs,”⁴ with an overall job satisfaction scorecard of 4.6 out of 10.⁴ (Vocations are rated using an elusive mix of factors, i.e., median salaries, growth percentages, stress levels, and work-life balances.)

Think This Might Be For You?

While vascular imaging might not produce cute images like the black-and-white images of your nephew in utero, we can get you started in this career imaging blood vessels.

If you think this healthcare vocation may be for you, call us today at 1-877-GURNICK.~

*72 Approved Instructional Weeks

Citations:
¹ —. “Ultrasound–Vascular” Radiologyinfo.org, Radiological Society of North America, Inc. (RSNA)., 2022. (Accessed Nov. 14, 2022.)
² Cleveland Clinic Medical Professional. “Vascular Ultrasound.” Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland Clinic. July 25, 2022. (Accessed Nov. 14, 2022.)
^{3^a, b} Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical Sonographers, and Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians. (Accessed Nov. 9, 2022.)
^{4^a, b} “Cardiovascular Technologist Overview.” US News Best Jobs, US News, and World Report. (Accessed Nov. 9, 2022.)

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