As a medical professional with expertise in vascular health, I can explain the process of testing for carotid artery blockage. Firstly, a physical examination is conducted where a doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to the carotid arteries for an abnormal sound known as a bruit. The presence of a bruit may suggest that there is a change or reduction in blood flow, potentially due to plaque buildup within the artery. If the initial examination suggests a possible blockage, the doctor may then recommend further diagnostic tests to confirm the diagnosis. These tests can include: 1. Duplex ultrasound: This non-invasive test uses sound waves to create images of the carotid arteries and measure blood flow through them. 2. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA): This test uses a magnetic field and radio waves to create detailed images of the blood vessels. 3. Computed tomography angiography (CTA): Similar to MRA, CTA uses X-rays and computer technology to visualize the arteries. 4. Carotid angiography: This is an invasive procedure where a catheter is inserted into the artery, and a special dye is used to highlight the blood vessels on X-ray images. read more >>

To check your carotid arteries, your doctor will listen to them with a stethoscope. He or she will listen for a whooshing sound called a bruit. This sound may indicate changed or reduced blood flow due to plaque buildup. To find out more, your doctor may recommend tests.read more >>