Palpating Carotids Bilaterally

Why should you not palpate your patient's carotids arteries bilaterally?

I remember being told it could cause less blood flow to the brain. However would that caused by the pressure you place on the vessels? Do you cut off the blood supply?

It is actually because of the carotid body located near the bifurcation of the carotid artery. The carotid body is a bundle of mechanoreceptors that reacts to changes in pressure. If you were to increase the pressure on the carotid body, it would set of the baroreceptor reflex. It signals to the brain that there is an increase in systemic pressure, and then the brain signals the body to lower blood pressure. As a result, there is less blood flow to the brain.

Thanks to Dr. Koehler and Danny!