Health Care Screening

Health Care Screening

Affordable Health Care Screening in St. Petersburg, Florida


Good health is important to everyone, and many people choose to have routine tests performed regularly to be sure that they are healthy. At Saint Pete MRI, we offer an affordable health care screening to patients who wish to be screened for heart problems. Our health screening includes a carotid ultrasound and an echocardiogram for one affordable price.
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Reasons to have a carotid ultrasound


A carotid ultrasound is a non-invasive diagnostic exam of the carotid arteries, which run from the heart to the brain. The ultrasound focuses on the parts of the carotid arteries in your neck. If you ever take your pulse by placing your fingers on the sides of your throat, you have felt your carotid arteries.

During a carotid ultrasound, the arteries are evaluated for stenosis, which is a narrowing of the artery. If these arteries are narrowing, that could put you at a higher risk of experiencing a stroke, which is when blood flow to the brain is reduced. 

Some reasons that your doctor might recommend a carotid ultrasound include high blood pressure, diabetes, coronary artery disease, a personal history of stroke or transient ischemic attack, high cholesterol, or a family history of stroke or heart disease.

If your carotid ultrasound shows that you are at risk of having a stroke, early intervention and treatment can reduce your chances of experiencing this potentially disabling or fatal health condition.

Reasons to have an echocardiogram


An echocardiogram is an ultrasound of the structures of the heart. This is also a non-invasive procedure and it can show the radiologist, your cardiologist, or your primary care physician whether you have any heart conditions that might require treatment.

Some reasons that your doctor might recommend an echocardiogram include a history of heart disease, symptoms like shortness of breath or chest pain, or to follow up if you have or had various heart conditions, including a congenital heart defect. 

If your echocardiogram shows that you have problems with any of your heart valves or other structures of the heart, early treatment can prevent worsening of the condition in some cases.

The patient experience during a health screening


Having a carotid ultrasound and an echocardiogram does not require any preparation. You may eat normally and take your medications as you usually do. When you arrive, you might be asked to change into a gown so your neck and chest are easily accessible for the tests.

During the tests, the technologist will apply a warmed gel to your neck for the carotid ultrasound and to your chest for the echocardiogram. It will feel wet but will not cause any other unpleasant sensations. During the echocardiogram, you will also have EKG leads placed on your skin. These feel like stickers and will peel off later.

He or she will move a transducer, which is a wand-like apparatus, over both sides of your throat and around the left side of your chest. Throughout the test, your technologist will be watching the moving images of your blood flow on the ultrasound screen and will periodically record still images. 

Once the test is over, the technologist will remove the EKG leads and help you clean the gel off of your skin. You can get dressed and resume your normal activities immediately.

Your doctor will receive a report within two business days.

Saint Pete MRI serves patients with insurance and self-pay patients


We participate in several health insurance plans. We also work with patients who do not have health insurance. Please contact our office to find out what your out-of-pocket expenses will be and to learn about our payment policies and fees.

If you are ready to schedule your health screening, please give us a call today.
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