bruit

medicine

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Last updated

June 22, 2026

Quick Summary

In medicine, a bruit is a blowing vascular sound, similar to a heart murmur, heard when listening over a partially narrowed blood vessel with a stethoscope. These sounds can indicate potential health issues.1

For example, a bruit heard over the carotid arteries might suggest an increased risk of stroke. If a bruit is detected in the abdomen, it could signal a partial blockage in major arteries like the aorta, renal, iliac, or femoral arteries.1

The term "bruit" can also be used more generally to mean a rumor or report, often used with "about".2

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diagnosis
Auscultation
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…
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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…
Read More