Diabetics at Risk for Stroke

Controlling diabetes has many health benefits, including lowering the risk for heart disease and stroke. Uncontrolled blood glucose levels can damage many parts of the body, and damaging the heart and blood vessels carries severe consequences. Having diabetes also increases the risk of high cholesterol, the major cause of high blood pressure; high blood pressure is the primary cause of stroke. Just having diabetes can upset the balance between HDL (good cholesterol) and LDL (bad cholesterol) levels. Therefore, controlling cholesterol is very important to any person with diabetes.

According to the American Diabetes Association:

  • People with diabetes tend to have LDL particles that stick to arteries and damage their walls more easily.
  • Glucose latches onto lipoproteins. Sugarcoated LDL remains in the blood stream longer and may lead to plaque buildup.
  • People with diabetes tend to have low HDL and high triglyceride (another kind of blood fat) levels, both of which boost the risk of heart and artery disease.

    Stroke Risk

    The risk of stroke is two and one-half times higher in people with diabetes and two out of three diabetics will die from heart disease or stroke. There are currently nearly 20 million people in the United States, or 7% of the population, with type-2 diabetes and nearly one-third are undiagnosed. These numbers are staggering. If you have not been screened for diabetes, talk to your health care provider. In most cases type-2 diabetes can be prevented or controlled through diet and exercise.

    As previously noted, high blood pressure is the major risk factor for ischemic stroke caused by blood flow restriction to the brain, usually a blood clot. Most strokes are ischemic, nearly 85%. Controlling blood sugar levels along with simple lifestyle modifications such as moderate exercise and weight loss can reduce your blood pressure. Lowering bad cholesterol through diet also can help reduce blood pressure. Don’t let diabetes control your health. Learn more about diabetes and dietary guidelines for diabetics at the Center for Diabetes Services.