A carotid bruit (pronounced “broo-ee”) is the sound of turbulent blood flow in one or more of your carotid arteries. Turbulent flow means your blood isn’t flowing smoothly through your artery. Instead, blood flow is disorganized and choppy. Your carotid arteries are blood vessels in your neck that supply blood to your brain.

A bruit is a sound present in the arteries of some people with carotid artery disease. During a physical examination, the doctor will place a stethoscope on the neck near the carotid arteries and listen for a slight “whooshing” sound. Bruit may suggest that the person has reduced blood flow through the artery due to atherosclerosis.

A bruit (pronounced 'broo-ee') is a vascular, whooshing sound, caused by turbulent blood flow in an artery which supplies blood to the brain. Increased stenosis of a carotid artery results in increased duration, intensity, and pitch of the bruit. Carotid bruit sounds and a basal heart murmur are easily confused.

Carotid bruits are indicative of narrowed arteries caused by the buildup of plaque. Upon physical examination, it is critical to undergo further testing if a bruit is found. This is because carotid atherosclerotic plaque is linked to a large portion of ischemic strokes.