What physical finding is commonly associated with narrowing of the carotid arteries?

The presence of carotid bruits is a physical finding commonly associated with the narrowing of the carotid arteries. A carotid bruit is an abnormal sound that occurs when blood flows through a narrowed section of the artery, resulting in turbulence. This turbulence creates a distinctive whooshing or swishing sound that can often be heard with a stethoscope placed over the carotid artery in the neck. The detection of a carotid bruit is clinically significant as it indicates the potential for significant stenosis, which can increase the risk of ischemic events, such as stroke.

In contrast, bradycardia—an abnormally slow heart rate—elevated blood pressure, and pulsatile tinnitus—an auditory perception of sound corresponding to heartbeat—are not specifically indicative of carotid artery narrowing. While these conditions may coexist in patients with cardiovascular issues, they do not directly reflect the narrowing of the carotid arteries in the same way that a bruit does.