Approximately 795,000 people experience a new or recurrent stroke each year in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
And it’s estimated that one-third of stroke patients have diabetes, reports the National Institute of Health (NIH)
May is Stroke Awareness Month and diabetes significantly elevates the risk of strokes.
“We know that when you have diabetes, it’s recognized as the same risk factor similar to a patient who’s had a mild heart attack,” says Dr. Don Garcia, Chief Medical Officer at Clínica Romero.
People with diabetes are twice as likely to have a stroke compared to those without diabetes. This heightened risk is primarily due to the damaging effects of high blood sugar on blood vessels. Over time, high glucose levels can lead to stiff and narrowed blood vessels, increasing the likelihood of blockages and blood clots that can cause a stroke.
In simple terms, a stroke is a heart attack of the brain, Dr. Garcia explains. There are two main types: an Ischemic Stroke that occurs when a blood clot blocks an artery in the brain, cutting off blood flow, and a Hemorrhagic stroke (also known as an aneurysm) that occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures, causing bleeding into the brain.
Diabetes is often accompanied by serious circulatory problems such as atherosclerosis and systemic inflammation. Both conditions result in the accumulation of arterial plaques, which obstruct blood flow, which can potentially culminate in strokes or heart attacks, underscoring the necessity for effective diabetes management.
Dr. Garcia says that diabetes patients are checked for lipids (fatty compounds, including cholesterol, that perform a variety of functions in the body) which reveal the cholesterol level and other cardiovascular signs that show the level of systemic inflammation or high risk for cardio and cerebral events.
“Diabetes is not just elevated glucose,” he notes. “There’s the effect on the circulation, on the cholesterol level and blood pressure, nerves.”
STROKE SIGNS
You can have a partial or “mini strokes” that doesn’t cause any lasting damage, or a full stroke that may result in different levels of incapacitation.
Stroke symptoms can differ from person to person, depending on the stroke’s location and severity. Some typical signs include:
– Trouble speaking
– Sensory loss
– Muscle weakness or paralysis
– Dizziness and confusion
– Visual disturbances
– Swallowing difficulties
“Most people survive, but they have residual dysfunction or loss of functions,” Dr. Garcia notes.
But he stresses that this is an emergency, and you must go to the hospital immediately so they can inject an anticoagulant intravenously. This must be done within 3 hours of stroke symptom onset.
Strokes can be deadly. Approximately 140,000 people die from strokes each year in the U.S., according to the CDC.
Results may vary—some individuals may regain complete function, while others may experience lasting effects.
“You may have some slight residuals, like paralysis in some part of the body,” Dr. Garcia explains.
And you may experience several strokes in a lifetime. Nearly 1 in 4 people who have had a stroke will experience another one, according to Stroke.org.
PREVENTION
“The best way to prevent a stroke is to have continuity of care with a primary care provider,” Dr. Garcia emphasizes.
This means regular medical checkups for high blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol levels. Your age and family history should also be considered, as well as medications – including oral contraceptives—that may increase the possibility of strokes.
Your gender and ethnicity also play a role. Stroke prevalence is highest among Black, American Indian/Alaska Native, and Hispanics. Men also generally have a higher risk of stroke than women, although women are often older when they experience a stroke and may be more likely to die from it.
You should also limit snacks and fatty foods, keep a healthy weight, exercise regularly, limit alcohol and stay away from smoking.
And if you’re diabetic, keep the disease under control.
