What Is a CIMT Scan and Should You Have One?

A Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (CIMT) scan is a simple, painless ultrasound that assesses the health of your carotid arteries—the major blood vessels supplying your brain. Unlike blood tests, which estimate your future risk of cardiovascular disease, a CIMT scan allows us to see whether changes are already developing within your arteries.

What can a CIMT scan detect?

A CIMT scan can identify:

• Early thickening of the artery wall
• Soft and calcified plaque
• Early atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries)
• Signs of increased cardiovascular risk

The scan takes around 20–30 minutes, involves no radiation, and requires no special preparation.

Who should consider a CIMT scan?

You may benefit if you:

• Have high cholesterol or high blood pressure
• Have diabetes or insulin resistance
• Have a family history of heart disease or stroke
• Have an autoimmune or inflammatory condition
• Want a proactive assessment of your cardiovascular health

Why is a CIMT scan useful?

Many people with normal cholesterol already have plaque, while others with raised cholesterol have healthy arteries. A CIMT scan provides a more personalised picture of your vascular health by looking directly at your arteries rather than relying solely on blood test results.

What happens if plaque is found?

Finding plaque isn't a cause for panic—it's an opportunity to intervene early. Depending on your results, we may recommend further investigations or a personalised plan focusing on nutrition, exercise, blood sugar regulation, blood pressure, inflammation and other factors that contribute to vascular health.

At Edinburgh Health, we use CIMT scanning as part of a comprehensive functional medicine assessment. Our aim is not simply to identify cardiovascular risk, but to understand why it has developed and help you reduce that risk through evidence-based, personalised care. Early detection offers the best opportunity to protect your long-term heart and vascular health.

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