Do you have 15 minutes to find out if you're at risk for a heart attack or stroke?
A CIMT scan is a 15-minute, non-invasive ultrasound of your carotid arteries — reading the earliest signs of plaque, often years before a symptom, so you and your doctor can act while options are widest.
15 min · No needles, no radiation, no fasting · Results reviewed with you
15 min
Quick, non-invasive carotid ultrasound — no needles, no radiation.
No referral
Book online in about two minutes — no doctor's note needed.
Limited spots
Screening dates and appointments fill quickly — reserve yours.
The science, simply
CIMT measures the thickness of your artery walls — a direct read on heart health.
CIMT stands for carotid intima-media thickness. Using ultrasound, a technician measures the inner layers of your carotid arteries. Wall thickening and plaque are recognized markers of atherosclerosis — the process behind most heart attacks and strokes.
Sees what cholesterol can't
Blood panels estimate risk. CIMT looks directly at your arteries for physical evidence of early plaque and wall thickening — including soft plaque that blockage-focused tests miss.
Non-invasive, radiation-free
The same safe ultrasound used in prenatal imaging — no needles, no contrast dye, no radiation, no recovery time. You stay fully clothed.
A baseline you can track
Your results include images and measurements to share with your doctor — and to compare against future scans, so you can see change over time.
Why early matters
Cardiovascular disease builds quietly — years before the first symptom.
of people who die suddenly of coronary heart disease had no prior symptoms.
Myerburg RJ, Junttila MJ. Circulation. 2012;125(8):1043–1052. PMID 22371442.
Most heart attacks occur with less than 50% blockage — below what standard screenings flag.
Little WC et al. Circulation. 1988;78(5):1157–1166. PMID 3180375.
is all a CIMT scan takes — a small, concrete step toward understanding your own risk.
Typical appointment length at CardioRisk events
How it works
From booking to answers in four steps
STEP 01
01
Book your spot
Find an upcoming screening in your city and pick a time. Booking takes about two minutes — no referral needed.
STEP 02
02
Get scanned
A trained technician performs the 15-minute ultrasound. You're in and out in under half an hour, no prep required.
STEP 03
03
Receive results
You get a clear report with images, measurements, and how your arteries compare to others your age.
STEP 04
04
Review options
Walk through findings with a reviewer or your own physician and decide on next steps together.
Trusted nationwide
Two decades of cardiovascular screening
CardioRisk Laboratories has performed CIMT screenings across the country, alongside physicians, dental practices, and preventive-health organizations.
“If I ever needed a new primary care doctor, one requirement would be that they know CardioRisk’s CIMT scans — they’ve kept me on track with my heart health.”
Carl
CardioRisk patient
“These scans are non-invasive and relatively inexpensive — a quick, easy way for me to get an extremely accurate reading on the current state of my cardiovascular system.”
C. Lawhead
CardioRisk patient
“CardioRisk is a great collaborative partner for my practice, providing reliable and precise CIMT reports for my patients.”
Dr. Eric A. Goulder, MD, FACC
Physician partner
Find a screening event near you.
We hold CIMT screening events at locations across the country. Dates and appointments are limited and fill quickly — find an upcoming event near you and reserve your spot.
For medical & dental practices
Bring CIMT screening to your patients
We partner with physicians, dental practices, and wellness organizations to host screening days on-site. Your patients gain direct insight into their cardiovascular health — you gain a powerful prevention tool with no equipment investment.
On-site events
We handle equipment, technicians, scheduling, and reporting end to end.
Clear reports
Physician-ready imaging and measurements for every patient scanned.
Patient education
Materials that help patients understand findings without alarm.
Repeat tracking
Annual re-screening helps practices monitor change over time.
Common questions
Answers before you book
What exactly does a CIMT scan show?
It measures the thickness of the inner two layers of your carotid artery walls and looks for visible plaque — recognized indicators of atherosclerosis. It can help you and your doctor understand your cardiovascular risk more directly than blood work alone.
Does it hurt? Is there radiation?
No. CIMT uses standard ultrasound — the same technology used during pregnancy. A technician glides a small probe along your neck. No needles, no dye, no radiation.
Do I need a doctor's referral?
No referral is needed to book at one of our events. We recommend sharing your results with your physician, and our Cardiologist Review package includes a professional consultation.
How much does it cost?
The CIMT scan is $249 at screening events, including a free results review. A package with a personal cardiologist review is available for $497. Screenings are typically self-pay; HSA/FSA funds may apply.