When you go to the doctor, you may have noticed that the doctor places a stethoscope not only on your chest, but sometimes on both sides of your neck. When you see that, you may be a little worried if he says, "I hear a small sound coming from a blood vessel in my neck." It's actually normal. But don't be afraid. This doesn't always indicate a serious illness. Today we're talking about a condition that many people haven't heard of, but is very worth knowing about, called a 'carotid bruit.'
Simply put, what is this carotid bruit?
A 'carotid bruit' is not a disease. It's a sound that a doctor can only hear with a stethoscope. To be precise, it's an abnormal, rapid 'whooshing' sound that you hear when blood flows through the 'carotid arteries' on either side of your neck.
Imagine, when water flows freely through a water pipe, there is no sound. But if there is a small blockage or dirt in the pipe, the water flows quickly and turbulently, and a sound is heard. This is the same with this. The main artery that supplies blood to our brain is the carotid artery. When there is any obstruction to the blood flow through this artery, the blood flow becomes turbulent (turbulent flow) and this sound is created.
The important thing is, you can't hear this. This is something that a doctor would find incidentally during a routine checkup. Therefore, we consider this a 'clinical sign' rather than a symptom.
Why is there such a noise? What is the main reason?
The main and most common cause of this is a condition called 'atherosclerosis' . The name sounds complicated, doesn't it? But it's very simple.
Simply put, what happens is that cholesterol, fat, and other substances accumulate on the inner walls of our blood vessels and form 'plaques' . It's like limescale building up inside a water pipe. As these plaques gradually grow, the passage for blood narrows. Then, when blood tries to rush through that narrow space, that annoying sound, or 'bruit', is heard.
This narrowing of the carotid artery is called 'Carotid Artery Stenosis' .
This is something to be concerned about. Because when the main artery that carries blood to the brain becomes blocked, the brain can be deprived of oxygen and nutrients. Also, sometimes a small piece of the plaque can break off and completely block another small artery in the brain. This increases the risk of a transient ischemic attack (TIA) or ischemic stroke .
Therefore, if a doctor hears this sound, he uses it as an important 'clue' to determine if there is such a risk.
Are there other reasons?
Yes. It's not always due to cholesterol deposits. Sometimes,
- This sound can also be caused by changes in the structure of the blood vessel walls, such as Fibromuscular Dysplasia (FMD) .
- Even in some healthy people, this sound may be heard due to a slight difference in the way blood vessels are arranged.
Your doctor will determine the exact cause after considering your medical history and other factors.
Is having a carotid bruit a serious condition?
This question cannot be answered with a straight "yes" or "no".
Sometimes, this can be a red flag that indicates a serious risk of stroke. But, that's not always the case.
Imagine your doctor is like a detective. This 'Bruit' sound is just the first 'evidence' he finds. That evidence alone does not tell him "here's the culprit." He has to investigate further. Similarly, just hearing this sound does not determine that you have a serious illness. It is just a signal that further investigation is needed.
Some healthy people can hear this sound. Also, sometimes the neck veins can be 90% blocked and still not hear this sound. So, remember that this is only one piece of the puzzle.
If the doctor says there is a carotid bruit, what happens next?
Your doctor won't be alarmed by this noise. The next thing he'll do is find out exactly what's causing it. A very simple, painless test that's usually done is a 'Carotid Duplex Ultrasound' scan.
This is similar to a scan done on pregnant women. It uses sound waves to take pictures of the blood vessels in the neck. It can:
- Check for cholesterol plaques inside the blood vessels.
- If there is, measure exactly how much of the vein is blocked.
- Check the speed and pattern of blood flow.
Based on the results of this scan, the doctor will decide whether or not you need treatment, and if so, what to do.
In particular, if you have one or more of the following risk factors, your doctor will likely recommend this scan.
| Risk factors for carotid artery stenosis | |
|---|---|
| Coronary Artery Disease | If cholesterol is deposited in the arteries of the heart, it is more likely to occur in the arteries of the neck as well. |
| Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) | Diabetes can damage blood vessels. |
| High Blood Pressure | When pressure increases, the inner walls of blood vessels are damaged and it becomes easier for cholesterol to accumulate. |
| High Cholesterol | This is the main ingredient for plaque formation. |
| Smoking (Tobacco Use) | Smoking is like directly poisoning your blood vessels. |
| Older Age | Generally, people over the age of 65 are at higher risk. |
| Family History | If someone in your family has had a stroke, you may also be at risk. |
What are the treatments for this?
The good news is that not everyone needs surgery or procedures. Treatment depends on how blocked your artery is, your age, and any other medical conditions you may have.
Treatment can be divided into three main parts.
1. Medications
This is often the first thing to start with. These may be sufficient, especially if the vein blockage is not severe.
- Cholesterol-lowering medication: These help reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the blood and stop further plaque formation.
- Blood pressure medication: Controls blood pressure and reduces damage to blood vessels.
- Anticoagulant medications: Sometimes, medications like aspirin may be prescribed to reduce the risk of blood clots.
2. Lifestyle Changes
This may be more important than medication. These things will help to control further blood vessel constriction to a great extent.
- Quit smoking completely: If you are a smoker, the best thing you can do is quit today. Talk to your doctor if you need help with this.
- Heart-healthy diet: Reduce foods high in oil, salt, and sugar. Replace red meat (beef, pork) with fish and chicken. Include plenty of vegetables, fruits, and greens in your diet.
- Exercise regularly: It can be as simple as walking for 30 minutes a day. Before starting a new exercise routine, talk to your doctor to see what's right for you.
3. Surgeries and other procedures
These are only necessary if the blood vessels are severely narrowed (severe stenosis) and the doctor determines that the risk of stroke is very high.
- Carotid Endarterectomy: This involves making a small incision in the neck, opening the blood vessel, and surgically removing the cholesterol plaques that have built up inside.
- Carotid Angioplasty and Stenting: This involves passing a needle-like device through the blood vessel and inflating a small balloon to widen the blockage. Then, a small mesh tube called a stent is placed in the artery to prevent it from narrowing again.
Remember, only your doctor can decide what treatment is best for you. Don't base your treatment decisions on what you read online or hear from others.
Take-Home Message
- Carotid bruit is not a disease, it's just a sound that a doctor can only hear with a stethoscope. Don't panic if you hear it.
- Although the main cause of this is cholesterol deposits in the blood vessels (atherosclerosis), it is not always caused by a serious condition.
- This is an important 'hint' to look out for when it comes to stroke risk. So if your doctor mentions this, don't ignore it.
- Your doctor will often perform a simple scan called a 'Carotid Duplex Ultrasound' to confirm the condition.
- Whether or not treatment is needed, and what to do if it is, depends on the extent of the blockage and your overall health. Discuss everything with your doctor.
💬 Comments (0)
No comments have been posted yet. Add your comment here for the first time.
Add your comment