A Doppler scan is a type of medical ultrasound that uses the Doppler effect to measure the movement of blood or other fluids in the body.
It allows healthcare professionals to assess the flow and velocity of blood through vessels, helping them detect abnormalities or blockages. The technology was named after Christian Doppler, an Austrian physicist who described the Doppler effect in 1842. It is a phenomenon in which sound or light waves change frequency based on the relative movement of the source and observer. However, the application of the Doppler effect in medical imaging began much later, with developments in ultrasound technology occurring in the mid-20th century.
Doppler scans are commonly used to detect:
- Blood clots or blockages in blood vessels.
- Reduced blood flow to organs and tissues.
- Heart conditions, such as valve issues or abnormal blood flow.
- Pregnancy monitoring, to check the health and blood flow of the placenta and fetus.