Arterial Doppler scan of the arms or legs
Quick answer: An arterial Doppler is an ultrasound that shows blood flow in the arteries of the arms or legs and can find narrowing or blockage. Doctors order it for leg pain on walking, cold or pale limbs, non-healing wounds, or in people with diabetes or smoking-related artery disease.
- SampleImaging (no sample)
- TakesAbout 30 to 45 minutes
- Before the testNo special preparation is usually needed.
How the test is done
- 1You lie on your back on a couch with the arm or leg uncovered
- 2Cool gel is spread on the skin and a handheld probe is moved along the artery
- 3You may hear whooshing sounds as the machine picks up blood flow
- 4Blood pressure cuffs may be placed on your ankles and arms to compare pressures
What your results can mean
Reading your report
A sonologist or radiologist reports on the scan, and your doctor will explain what the findings mean for you.
If the result is outside the usual range
The scan can show narrowing or blockage in an artery, often from fatty build-up (peripheral artery disease), reduced flow below a blockage, a swollen part of an artery (aneurysm), or flow through a bypass graft.
Who usually has this test
People with leg pain or cramps on walking that ease with rest, cold or pale feet, slow-healing foot wounds, or diabetes or a smoking history.
Risks and aftercare
There is no radiation and no recovery time; firm pressure from the probe or cuffs may feel uncomfortable for a moment, and you can wipe off the gel and go home.
Names and options
Also called: arterial Doppler, peripheral arterial Doppler, leg artery Doppler
Options
- One limb
- Both limbs
Listed by the hospital as
- ARTERIAL DOPPLER (SINGLE)
- ARTERIAL DOPPLER (BOTH)
Questions about this test
What is an ankle-brachial index (ABI)?
It compares blood pressure at your ankle with your arm. A lower pressure at the ankle can suggest narrowed leg arteries, and it is often measured alongside an arterial Doppler.
Why do my legs hurt when I walk but not when I rest?
This can happen when narrowed arteries cannot supply enough blood to working muscles, called claudication. An arterial Doppler helps show whether and where the arteries are narrowed.
Is an arterial Doppler the same as an angiogram?
No. A Doppler uses ultrasound from the outside without needles or dye, while an angiogram uses dye injected into the arteries with X-ray or CT. A Doppler is usually done first.
Related tests
Tamara Hospital & IVF Centre, Rajajinagar
34/3, 10th Cross Road, opp. Vardhaka Sardar Patel School, 1st N Block, 2nd Stage, Rajajinagar, Bengaluru 560010
The hospital is open 24 hours. Call before you come to check the timing for your scan or sample collection.
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This page explains each test in general terms so you know what to expect. It is not medical advice: your doctor decides which tests you need and what your results mean. Reference ranges differ between laboratories. Updated 4 November 2026.