Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT)

Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is a non-invasive ultrasound scan of the two large arteries in your neck. It measures the thickness of the inner two layers of the artery wall, which change gradually with age, blood pressure and cholesterol exposure over time. cIMT can help refine your cardiovascular risk assessment where standard risk scores are borderline or where there is a strong family history. It is particularly useful for people in mid-life who are trying to decide whether more intensive prevention (for example, cholesterol treatment) is worthwhile. The scan is painless, uses no radiation and takes around 15–20 minutes. Results are interpreted by the consultant who sees you, in the context of your full risk picture — not as a standalone number.