A carotid duplex scan is a simple and painless test that combines two types of ultrasound to look for blockages in your carotid arteries. An ultrasound is a type of scan that uses sound waves to produce a picture of the inside of your body. Your carotid arteries are located along both sides of your neck. Blocked carotid arteries are a major risk factor for stroke.

The aorta is the largest artery in the body. It carries oxygenated blood from the heart through the chest and torso to the rest of the body. An aneurysm is an abnormal enlargement of part of a blood vessel. Thus, an abdominal aortic aneurysm is a balloon-like bulge in the portion of the aorta that runs through the abdomen.

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