Diabetes and Stroke
People with diabetes face a greater risk of stroke
Diabetes complications are a range of serious health issues that can affect people with diabetes over time.
These include serious heart problems and stroke, with a significant proportion of people with diabetes dying from one or other of these health issues.
By maintaining stable blood glucose, blood pressure and cholesterol, people with diabetes can increases chances of stroke prevention.
What is a stroke?
Many people think of stroke as an attack on the brain, when blood supply is interrupted and the brain tissue is damaged, usually by a blocked blood vessel. Stroke can be especially damaging physically, but may also cause mental problems with thought or speech.
How is diabetes linked with having a stroke?
People with diabetes face a much greater likelihood of stroke, heart disease or heart attack. Some reports claim that 2 out of every 3 people with diabetes die from a stroke or from heart disease.
Am I at high risk of having a stroke?
Having diabetes increases risk of stroke, but other conditions will further heighten risk. These include a family history of:
- Stroke or transient ischemic attacks
- History of stroke
- Smoking
- Elevated blood cholesterol levels
What can I do about avoiding stroke?
Closely managing diabetes and diabetes complications will help to lower chances of stroke.
By keeping blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol within target ranges you can reduce stroke risk. Quitting smoking also helps lower risk.
What are stroke warning signs?
Stroke symptoms include:
- Sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body
- Confusion
- Trouble seeing
- Dizziness
- Loss of balance
- Double vision
- Severe headache
One or more of these symptoms may appear and then disappear, causing a TIA. This increases the risk of future stroke. Any suspicion of stroke should prompt an instant emergency call.
Stroke is the name for blockages or leakages in blood vessels that supply the brain. The following factors raise the risk of heart disease:
- Heart disease in a close relative
- Being overweight
- Being relatively inactive
- If you drink heavily or smoke
- Having high blood pressure
- Having high cholesterol
The risk of stroke also gets larger with age. The symptoms of stroke are noticeable at the time the stroke is happening. The signs of a stroke are given the mnemonic FAST.
- Face: if the mouth or eyes appear to have drooped on one side
- Arms: difficulty raising one or more arms
- Speech: slurred or garbled speech
- T stands for time: emphasising the need to act fast if these symptoms are present and call 999.
If a stroke has happened, brain imaging scans can be employed to discern the type of stroke and the damage caused.
Two common scans are CT or MRI scans.
Treatments may vary depending on the type of stroke. People who have had or are at risk of stroke may be given cholesterol and blood pressure lowering drugs. Anticoagulants may also be prescribed to prevent further strokes.
The basic advice for prevention of stroke is the same lifestyle advice given to people who have diabetes. The lifestyle changes include, cutting down on smoking and alcohol, getting regular exercise and eating a healthy, balanced diet.
How is stroke diagnosed?
Stroke may be diagnosed using a number of different techniques.
Doctors may test changes in body function. CAT scans and MRI scans provide images of the brain, and an ultrasound examination will show irregularities in the carotid artery.
How is stroke treated?
Instant drugs may be given to minimise damage, meaning the sooner you get emergency treatment in the case of stroke the better.
Surgical options may help to unblock blood vessels. Rehabilitation therapy may also restore function and help people to relearn key skills.
Lifestyle changes
Stopping smoking, planning meals, taking physical activity and medication will all help to manage blood glucose, blood pressure and levels of bad cholesterol.
