What Causes Throbbing In Carotid Arteries While Having High Cholesterol?

My carotid arteries feel like they are throbbing. My cholesterol is slightly high, 210, I am in menopause but not on any hormone replacements, I am about 40 pounds overweight but have started exercising. I do have some anxiety & this sensation is usually after eating & in the morning before I get out of bed. It has been going on for a couple years now & I thought the blood pressure med I started taking would help It seemed to for a while but has come back recently. I am very worried about clotted carotids but my doctor said I wasn t at risk. What is this throbbing?