Bruit is a medical term for an abnormal sound heard in a blood vessel due to an obstruction. It is usually heard through a stethoscope and further diagnostic testing is recommended to determine if it is cause for concern. Treatment options vary depending on the cause.
Bruit (pronounced like the unrelated word “brute”) is a medical term that refers to a characteristic noise heard in a blood vessel due to an obstruction. Not everyone with a murmur has an obstruction, and when this noise is heard during an exam, further diagnostic testing is recommended to determine if it is cause for concern. The abnormal sounds are also sometimes referred to as murmurs and are usually heard through a stethoscope.
One of the most common areas a doctor checks for a murmur is in the carotid artery that supplies blood to the head. If an abnormal sound is heard, it may indicate that the patient has cardiovascular disease and the artery is blocked or otherwise abnormal. Doctors may also hear abnormal sounds during a chest exam and in other areas of the body.
The sound is the result of turbulence within the artery causing the sound of blood flow to change. Just as a river changes sound when the water level rises or there is an obstacle such as a boat or a fallen log, the sound of blood moving through the body changes if the environment changes. Bruits are usually roaring sounds. The term comes from the French word for “noise,” referring to the fact that murmurs can be loud as well as abnormal.
If a doctor identifies a murmur during an exam, tests such as an ultrasound may be ordered. During this test, the area of interest is examined more closely for signs of the noise causes. An ultrasound might show, for example, that an artery is narrowing and causing blood flow to turbulence. Heart function tests may also be ordered to see if the heart is in good condition when a murmur is heard in order to learn more about a patient’s overall condition.
In some cases, the noise is determined to be innocent in nature and this is recorded in the patient’s file. If a patient has a benign murmur or murmur, it is advisable to inform the healthcare professionals of this before the exams so that they do not become frightened. If the sound is a cause for concern, a doctor can discuss treatment options with the patient. These can range from monitoring for signs of change to installing a stent to allow blood to pass the obstruction into the vessel.
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