CAROTID-ARTERY BRUITS - PREVALENCE SURVEY AND DIFFERENTIAL-DIAGNOSIS

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 57  (4) , 227-230
Abstract
From a 10% sampling of the Olmsted County, Minnesota [USA], population, persons of age 45 yr and older were selected randomly in predetermined age and sex groupings and examined for cervical murmurs [a risk factor for cerebral infarction]. Persons (509) representing approximately 1% of all persons in the population between 45 and 54 yr old, 2.5% of those 55-64 yr old and 3.5% of those more than 65 yr old were included in the study. A cervical murmur of some type was heard in 64 persons (12.6%). Localized, midcarotid bifurcation bruits were noted in 22 persons (4.3%). Of this last group, 15 persons (2.9%) were asymptomatic. The prevalence of localized, asymptomatic carotid arterial bruits increased with age: 0.9% at 45-54 yr, 2.1% at 55-64 yr, 3.8% at 65-74 yr and 5% at 75 yr and older; it was higher in females (4.4%) than in males (1.6%).