Bruits are blowing vascular sounds resembling heart murmurs that are perceived over partially occluded blood vessels. When detected over the carotid arteries, a bruit may indicate an increased risk of stroke; when produced by the abdomen, it may indicate partial obstruction of the aorta or…

Is a bruit serious?

If an abnormal sound, called a bruit, is heard over an artery, it may reflect turbulent blood flow. That could indicate carotid artery disease. Listening for a bruit in the neck is a simple, safe, and inexpensive way to screen for stenosis (narrowing) of the carotid artery, although it may not detect all blockages.

Is a bruit bad?

Although a carotid bruit has relatively poor sensitivity in detecting a hemodynamically significant carotid stenosis, it is a strong marker of systemic atherosclerosis with associated increased risk of stroke, myocardial infarction, and cardiovascular death.