Which sound indicates an obstruction to blood flow?

A bruit is an abnormal sound typically heard during auscultation, indicating turbulent blood flow, which often results from an obstruction in a blood vessel. The presence of a bruit suggests that there may be narrowing or stenosis in an artery, causing blood to flow with more turbulence, which is detectable with a stethoscope. This is particularly relevant in cardiovascular health, as it can signify an increased risk of complications such as hypertension or even heart failure if the obstruction significantly affects blood circulation.

To further understand the context, normal heart sounds indicate regular function and blood flow through the heart chambers and valves, while clicks can be associated with mechanical events in the heart, such as valve closure or prosthetic valve sounds. Stridor is a high-pitched sound resulting from obstructed airflow in the upper airway, which is distinct from the sounds associated with blood flow in the vessels. Therefore, while the other options refer to various sounds that may indicate normal or different abnormal conditions, a bruit specifically points to an obstruction affecting blood flow.