Objective To investigate the value of carotid ultrasound in screening cerebral infraction. Methods A total of 110 patients with cerebral infarction who underwent carotid ultrasonography in our hospital from March 1, 2019 to March 1, 2021 were enrolled in the cerebral infarction group, and 90 healthy subjects were enrolled in the healthy physical examination group. Carotid ultrasonography was performed to compare the carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), the total number of detected plaques, plaque echo, soft and hard plaques, and ulcerated plaques between the two groups. Results The IMT of the cerebral infarction group was (2.11±0.19) mm, which was higher than that of the healthy physical examination group (0.86±0.14) mm, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The detection rate of multiple plaques in the cerebral infarction group was higher than that in the healthy subjects, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The ratio of low echo or mixed echo plaque in the cerebral infarction group was higher than that in the healthy physical examination group, and the ratio of high echo plaque was lower than that in the healthy physical examination group, the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The proportion of atherosclerotic plaques and ulcer plaques in the cerebral infarction group was higher than that in the healthy physical examination group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusion Carotid ultrasound can be used as an effective method for screening cerebral infarction. Screening for cerebral infarction by examining carotid intima plaque ratio, plaque echo and plaque properties is conducive to providing accurate and reliable reference for the formulation and implementation of subsequent treatment plans.