Carotid bruit: What causes it?

At my last physical exam, my doctor said he heard a bruit over my carotid artery. Is this serious?

- Pat / Ohio

Mayo Clinic hypertension specialist Sheldon Sheps, M.D., and colleagues answer select questions from readers.

Answer

A bruit (bru-we) is an abnormal and often harsh sound heard with a stethoscope over a blood vessel, usually an artery. The sound, which is synchronous with your heartbeat, is caused by turbulent blood flow, such as caused by irregularities in the wall of the blood vessel or by an abnormal connection (fistula) between an artery and vein. A bruit heard over the carotid artery (carotid bruit) may indicate fatty buildup in the wall of the vessel (atherosclerosis).

Sometimes a bruit is only temporary and goes away on its own. Treatment of the underlying cause, when possible, may make the bruit go away.

If the bruit in your carotid artery is caused by atherosclerosis, you have an increased risk of clogged arteries and stroke. Your doctor may prescribe medications to help prevent clotting and recommend aggressive treatment of high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes, if present. Also, if you smoke, you should stop.

If your carotid artery is more than 50 percent blocked, surgery to remove the fatty buildup (endarterectomy) or to open the narrowed artery (angioplasty and perhaps stenting) may be necessary.