Concierge vascular imaging · London
Private carotid Doppler in London, reported by a consultant vascular radiologist.
A radiation-free stroke-risk scan by a vascular radiologist — with the onward stroke-team or vascular-surgery pathway if we find significant disease.
Why patients choose us
- 01
The right hands
We route you to a consultant vascular radiologist — with carotid Doppler, who scans you and who reads it decides the answer.
- 02
Often answers same-day
Findings can frequently be discussed immediately, with the written report to follow.
- 03
Independent, and free
We are paid by no clinic, so the recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.
Indicative pricing
What a private carotid Doppler costs in London.
Indicative ranges across our partner clinics. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options.
In short
A standard carotid Doppler in our network: £250–£450, with findings often the same day.
| Scan type | Indicative range | Typical duration | Report turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard carotid Doppler | £250–£450 | 25 min | Same-day |
| Carotid + vertebral Doppler | £350–£600 | 35 min | Same-day |
| US + vascular consultation | £550–£1,000 | 60 min | Same visit |
| Post-endarterectomy surveillance US | £280–£500 | 25 min | Same-day |
| Full stroke-risk work-up (US + bloods + BP + ECG) | £600–£1,200 | Half-day | Same-week |
| Urgent same-week US | £400–£800 | Half-day | Same-week |
Prices vary by clinic, whether vertebral arteries are added, and whether a same-visit consultant vascular opinion is included. We come back with a firm quote within one working day.
The problem
A carotid Doppler is only as good as who reports it.
The velocity numbers are the answer — and the person interpreting them decides how those numbers translate into stenosis, risk and the next step. We route you to a consultant vascular radiologist, not a generalist.
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Had a TIA or minor stroke?
We arrange an urgent carotid Doppler and route findings to the stroke team.
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Cervical bruit picked up?
We quantify it and, if needed, book a same-visit vascular opinion.
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Pre-op or CV risk work-up?
We fold the scan into a rounded assessment — bloods, BP, ECG if you want it.
The journey
From enquiry to report — what happens, in order.
One clinician from first message to report — often within days.
Phase 1 · Before your scan
Concierge, off-stage for you
Phase 2 · On the day
~25 minutes at the clinic
Phase 3 · After
Concierge, back on
- 01
Before
You tell us what’s going on
A short, confidential form. Symptoms, TIA history, risk factors, referral or insurer if you have them.
- 02
Before
We come back with a recommendation
Within one working day: whether a carotid Doppler is the right test, which clinic, indicative price. If a scan isn’t the right step, we say so.
- 03
Before
We arrange the appointment
Often same or next day, including evenings and Saturdays. Insurer pre-authorisation handled.
- 04
On the day
Arrival and preparation
No fasting, no preparation. Wear something with an open neckline.
- 05
On the day
The scan itself
25 minutes. Warm gel, a handheld probe on your neck — painless, radiation-free, and you can often see the images as they appear.
- 06
On the day
Straight home
No recovery time. Drive, eat and work as normal.
- 07
After
Report and next steps
A written report usually within 48 hours, with onward stroke-team or vascular-surgery pathway if we find significant disease.
Typical end-to-end: 3–7 days. Urgent cases: same day.
What it shows
When a carotid Doppler is the right test.
Carotid Doppler answers a specific question — how narrowed are the neck vessels, and what does that mean for stroke risk. These are the presentations we see most.
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TIA work-up
The first-line vascular test after a suspected transient ischaemic attack.
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Post-stroke assessment
Characterises carotid disease after a confirmed ischaemic stroke.
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Cervical bruit on exam
Investigates a bruit heard by your GP or consultant on neck examination.
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Audible bruit on stethoscope
Quantifies flow disturbance if a bruit is heard over the carotid.
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Pre-cardiac-surgery screen
Assesses carotid stenosis before CABG or major cardiac procedures.
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Cardiovascular risk assessment
Adds a vascular data point to a broader CV risk work-up.
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Dizziness (with caveats)
Vertigo alone is rarely carotid — we say so up front, and route accordingly.
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Red flag: sudden neurology, one-sided weakness or slurred speech — 999
Do not wait for a private slot. Call 999 immediately.
Scan types
Not all carotid Doppler scans are the same.
What each option on your referral is actually for.
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Standard carotid Doppler
B-mode plus colour and spectral Doppler of the common, internal and external carotid arteries.
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Carotid + vertebral Doppler
Adds the vertebral arteries — useful for posterior-circulation symptoms.
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US + vascular consult
Scan plus a same-visit consultant vascular opinion, with a plan you can act on.
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Post-endarterectomy surveillance
Serial ultrasound after carotid surgery to detect restenosis.
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Full stroke-risk work-up
Carotid US alongside bloods, BP and ECG — a rounded vascular picture.
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Pre-op vascular clearance
Focused assessment before cardiac or major vascular surgery.
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Post-stenting surveillance
Follow-up ultrasound after carotid stent placement.
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Urgent same-week US
Expedited slot when symptoms or a referral demand a rapid answer.
Our vetted London network
A small panel of clinics, we picked them.
Partners across central, north, west and south London. Not listed publicly — introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.
Selection criteria
How we choose every clinic in our network.
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Consultant vascular radiologists or accredited vascular scientists
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Standardised velocity criteria (NASCET) for stenosis quantification
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Same-day report, with images available for onward review
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Onward stroke-team or vascular-surgery pathway if significant disease is found
Safety and eligibility
One of the safest tests in medicine.
Carotid Doppler is exceptionally safe — the practical points are when a private slot is right and when A&E is right, and where the scan’s limits are.
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Painless, radiation-free
A handheld probe and gel — no needles, no radiation, no dye.
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Warm gel used
The contact gel is warmed, so the scan is comfortable from the first touch.
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Position on the couch
You lie on your back with your head slightly turned — that is the whole preparation.
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No fasting
Eat, drink and take medication as normal.
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TIA is a medical emergency
Do not wait for a private slot — go to A&E. Rapid NHS assessment is the standard of care.
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Vertigo caveat
Vertigo alone is rarely carotid disease. We will say if another route is a better use of your time.
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A normal scan is not a full clear
A normal Doppler doesn’t fully exclude intracranial disease — MRI/MRA may still be needed.
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MRI/MRA sometimes follow-on
For intracranial vessels or ambiguous findings, cross-sectional imaging is the next step.
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Bring prior imaging and BP records
Comparison against previous scans and your blood-pressure trend materially sharpens the report.
Reading your report
A carotid Doppler report can look intimidating. It isn’t.
Whatever the finding, the report keeps to the same four parts.
A quiet reminder
The report is written for your doctor, not for you — and that’s normal.
If you would like us to talk you through it before your follow-up, just ask.
- 01 Header
Indication and risk factors
Your details, the reason for the scan, and the vascular risk factors that shape interpretation.
- 02 Technique
Probes and velocity measurements
Which vessels were interrogated, with which probe, and the peak systolic velocity method used.
- 03 Findings
Peak systolic velocity, plaque, stenosis %
Vessel-by-vessel description: PSV, plaque morphology and NASCET-based stenosis percentages.
- 04 Impression
The conclusion: read this first
Normal, mild/moderate/severe stenosis, and the concrete next step — read this first.
Recognised by major UK insurers
Cover depends on your policy and clinic; we confirm with your insurer before booking.
Frequently asked
Everything we get asked about carotid Doppler.
Quick answers on cost, referrals, TIA vs stroke, dizziness, and when a follow-up MRA or vascular surgery come in.
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What does a carotid Doppler show?
The blood-flow through your carotid arteries — the main vessels in the neck that supply the brain. It quantifies narrowing (stenosis), characterises plaque, and flags flow disturbance that raises stroke risk.
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What is the difference between a TIA and a stroke?
A TIA is a transient episode of neurological symptoms with full recovery, usually within an hour, caused by temporary loss of blood flow. A stroke is when that loss of flow causes permanent brain injury. Both are medical emergencies — 999, not a private appointment.
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How much does a private carotid Doppler cost in London?
A standard carotid Doppler is typically £250–£450 in our network; adding vertebral vessels or a consultant vascular opinion raises the price. We confirm a firm figure within one working day.
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Do I need a referral?
Most clinics accept self-referral for a carotid Doppler. We can arrange a fast-track private GP if a formal referral is needed for insurance or onward pathway.
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I get dizzy — should I have a carotid Doppler?
Vertigo alone is rarely carotid disease. If dizziness is your only symptom, a carotid Doppler often isn’t the right first test — we will say so and suggest the right route.
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How quickly will I get results?
Findings are usually discussed immediately after the scan, with a formal written report from the reporting consultant within 24–48 hours.
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When is a follow-up MRA needed?
When the ultrasound is ambiguous, when intracranial vessels need assessing, or when planning intervention. MRA (magnetic resonance angiography) gives a full head-and-neck vascular map.
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When would I need vascular surgery?
Guidelines support carotid endarterectomy or stenting for symptomatic patients with 50–99% stenosis (higher benefit at 70–99%), and for selected asymptomatic patients. The vascular-surgery team decides, not the scan alone.
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Is a carotid Doppler safe in pregnancy?
Entirely safe — ultrasound uses sound waves, not radiation, and is the standard vascular imaging test at any stage of pregnancy.
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When should I see a GP urgently instead?
Any sudden neurological symptom — one-sided weakness, slurred speech, facial droop, sudden loss of vision — is a 999 call, not a GP visit. Recurrent, brief episodes that fully resolve are still a same-day medical assessment.
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