Carotid Ultrasound

A painless ultrasound of the neck arteries, imaging the artery wall and blood flow.

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Illustration of a stylised Carotid Ultrasound on a soft background

Heart Health

Brain & Cognitive Health

Largely Preventable

80%+

of strokes can be prevented by managing known, measurable risk factors

https://strokefoundation.org.au/about-stroke/learn/facts-and-figures

Each Year

46,000

stroke events occur across Australia annually, according to the Stroke Foundation

https://strokefoundation.org.au/media-centre/media-releases/2025/11/stroke-foundation-welcomes-establishment-of-a-permanent-australian-centre-for-disease-control

Not Only Older Adults

1 in 4

strokes in 2023 occurred in people under the age of 65

https://strokefoundation.org.au/about-stroke/learn/facts-and-figures

Largely Preventable

80%+

of strokes can be prevented by managing known, measurable risk factors

https://strokefoundation.org.au/about-stroke/learn/facts-and-figures

Not Only Older Adults

1 in 4

strokes in 2023 occurred in people under the age of 65

https://strokefoundation.org.au/about-stroke/learn/facts-and-figures

Each Year

46,000

stroke events occur across Australia annually, according to the Stroke Foundation

https://strokefoundation.org.au/media-centre/media-releases/2025/11/stroke-foundation-welcomes-establishment-of-a-permanent-australian-centre-for-disease-control

Largely Preventable

80%+

of strokes can be prevented by managing known, measurable risk factors

https://strokefoundation.org.au/about-stroke/learn/facts-and-figures

Each Year

46,000

stroke events occur across Australia annually, according to the Stroke Foundation

https://strokefoundation.org.au/media-centre/media-releases/2025/11/stroke-foundation-welcomes-establishment-of-a-permanent-australian-centre-for-disease-control

Not Only Older Adults

1 in 4

strokes in 2023 occurred in people under the age of 65

https://strokefoundation.org.au/about-stroke/learn/facts-and-figures

DIAGNOSTIC OVERVIEW

What Carotid Ultrasound Is

Ultrasound uses sound waves to build images in real time. Applied to the carotids, it shows the artery wall and, using Doppler, the blood moving through it. It is quick, entirely painless and involves nothing more than a probe and some gel against the side of your neck.

Why it's worth it

A direct look at your arteries.

No radiation, needles or preparation.

Radiologist reviewed, clinician explained.

DIAGNOSTIC DETAILS

What it measures

The scan images the carotid artery walls, including any plaque present, and assesses blood flow through the vessels. Findings in the carotids are associated with wider vascular health, so the result is read alongside your bloods, blood pressure and history.

Get started with Precursor

Artery Wall

The scan images the wall of each carotid artery, including any plaque present, giving a direct look at a vessel rather than an inference from bloods alone.

Nothing Invasive

No radiation, no injection and no preparation. Just a probe and gel against your neck.

Blood Flow

Doppler imaging shows blood moving through the arteries in real time, so both the structure and the flow are assessed in the same sitting.

Wider Vascular Context

Carotid findings are associated with vascular health more broadly, read with your other markers.

DIAGNOSTIC DETAILS

What it measures

Get started with Precursor

Artery Wall

The scan images the wall of each carotid artery, including any plaque present, giving a direct look at a vessel rather than an inference from bloods alone.

Nothing Invasive

No radiation, no injection and no preparation. Just a probe and gel against your neck.

Blood Flow

Doppler imaging shows blood moving through the arteries in real time, so both the structure and the flow are assessed in the same sitting.

Wider Vascular Context

Carotid findings are associated with vascular health more broadly, read with your other markers.

DIAGNOSTIC DETAILS

What it measures

Get started with Precursor

Artery Wall

The scan images the wall of each carotid artery, including any plaque present, giving a direct look at a vessel rather than an inference from bloods alone.

Nothing Invasive

No radiation, no injection and no preparation. Just a probe and gel against your neck.

Blood Flow

Doppler imaging shows blood moving through the arteries in real time, so both the structure and the flow are assessed in the same sitting.

Wider Vascular Context

Carotid findings are associated with vascular health more broadly, read with your other markers.

HOW IT WORKS

From booking to your results

A direct look at arteries you can reach. Here is how a Carotid Ultrasound goes from a conversation with your clinician to a report you understand.

Book Now

Your Results Are In!

Tap to review your results and see what's next.

Speak with your clinician

A Carotid Ultrasound is clinician selected, so it starts with a conversation about whether your cardiovascular markers or history make it worthwhile.

Book your scan

Choose a time that suits you at a partner imaging centre in Brisbane. There is no preparation at all, so no fasting and nothing to arrange beforehand.

Have your scan

You lie back with your head turned slightly while a sonographer moves a probe along each side of your neck. It is painless and usually takes twenty to thirty minutes.

Specialist review

A radiologist reviews the images and prepares a report covering the artery walls, any plaque present and the blood flow through the vessels.

Results and plan

Your report lands in the Precursor app in plain language, and a clinician explains what it shows alongside your other cardiovascular markers and any sensible next step.

HOW IT WORKS

From booking to your results

A direct look at arteries you can reach. Here is how a Carotid Ultrasound goes from a conversation with your clinician to a report you understand.

Book Now

Your Results Are In!

Tap to see what's next.

Speak with your clinician

A Carotid Ultrasound is clinician selected, so it starts with a conversation about whether your cardiovascular markers or history make it worthwhile.

Book your scan

Choose a time that suits you at a partner imaging centre in Brisbane. There is no preparation at all, so no fasting and nothing to arrange beforehand.

Have your scan

You lie back with your head turned slightly while a sonographer moves a probe along each side of your neck. It is painless and usually takes twenty to thirty minutes.

Specialist review

A radiologist reviews the images and prepares a report covering the artery walls, any plaque present and the blood flow through the vessels.

Results and plan

Your report lands in the Precursor app in plain language, and a clinician explains what it shows alongside your other cardiovascular markers and any sensible next step.

HOW IT WORKS

From booking to your results

A direct look at arteries you can reach. Here is how a Carotid Ultrasound goes from a conversation with your clinician to a report you understand.

Book Now

Your Results Are In!

Tap to review your results and see

what's next.

Speak with your clinician

A Carotid Ultrasound is clinician selected, so it starts with a conversation about whether your cardiovascular markers or history make it worthwhile.

Book your scan

Choose a time that suits you at a partner imaging centre in Brisbane. There is no preparation at all, so no fasting and nothing to arrange beforehand.

Have your scan

You lie back with your head turned slightly while a sonographer moves a probe along each side of your neck. It is painless and usually takes twenty to thirty minutes.

Specialist review

A radiologist reviews the images and prepares a report covering the artery walls, any plaque present and the blood flow through the vessels.

Results and plan

Your report lands in the Precursor app in plain language, and a clinician explains what it shows alongside your other cardiovascular markers and any sensible next step.

"The carotids are one of the few arteries we can see clearly and painlessly. When someone's numbers raise a question, looking directly at a vessel adds something the bloods alone cannot."

Goutham Sivasuthan. CEO and Co Founder of Precursor

Dr Goutham Sivasuthan (FRACS, MBBS, MSurg, BSc)

Precursor Co-Founder & CEO

TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR HEALTH

Book Your Carotid Ultrasound Now

Find the precursor, shape the outcome.

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FAQs

Your Questions, Answered

How do I book a test?

Choose your test and a time that suits you online, then visit one of our partner locations. If any preparation is needed, such as fasting, we tell you clearly when you book.

When and how do I get my results?

Your results appear in the Precursor app once your sample or scan has been processed, laid out in plain language rather than a wall of numbers. Turnaround depends on the test, and we give you a timeframe when you book.

Will someone explain my results to me?

Yes. A clinician reviews your results, flags anything worth your attention and helps you understand what they mean and what, if anything, to do next. You are never left to interpret them alone.

Where can I get tested?

We operate through partner locations across South East Queensland, including Brisbane, the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast. You choose the most convenient one when you book.

Do I need to prepare or fast beforehand?

It depends on the test. Some require fasting or other simple preparation, and others need nothing at all. Whatever applies, we tell you clearly at the time you book so there are no surprises on the day.

Can I track my results over time?

Yes. The Precursor app is built to show change between tests, so each result becomes a trend you can follow rather than a one-off snapshot. Retesting lets you see the effect of any changes you make.

How is my data handled and kept private?

Your health data is handled with care and kept private. Results are stored securely in the Precursor app and shared only with you and the clinicians involved in your care.

What happens if something needs further attention?

If your results surface something worth acting on, your clinician explains it calmly and talks you through sensible next steps. The aim is early clarity and considered action, never unnecessary alarm.

What is a good BRI score?

There is no single answer, because it depends on your height and which guidance you are being measured against. This calculator converts the Australian waist thresholds into BRI at your own height, so your bands are specific to you. Most BRI tools use bands from an American mortality study, which produce noticeably different results for Australians.

Is BRI better than BMI?

It is better at one specific thing, which is detecting central fat, because it uses your waist. It is not better across the board. BMI is generally reliable when it flags someone, and research suggests the two measures agree in the large majority of cases. The useful comparison is not which one wins but whether they disagree about you.

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A new way Australians get ahead of their health.

Start looking. Today.

Curated diagnostics and a clinician-guided plan, built around getting ahead of what matters.

Get started with Precursor today

A new way Australians
get ahead of their health.

Start looking. Today.

Curated diagnostics and a clinician-guided plan, built around getting ahead of what matters.

Get started with Precursor today

A new way Australians get ahead of their health.

Start looking. Today.

Curated diagnostics and a clinician-guided plan, built around getting ahead of what matters.

Get started with Precursor today