Diabetes is the result of faulty insulin functioning. Either the body is not producing enough to metabolize the glucose (type 1 diabetes) or the body is resistant to insulin (type 2 diabetes).
Either way, glucose levels become wholly unregulated in the body.
When this happens, the glucose seriously damages blood vessels. It makes the lining of the blood vessels harder so that blood cannot easily pass through. When blood is unable to move freely through the vessels, a stroke is imminent.
Diabetes Doubles the Risk of Stroke
The common link between stroke and diabetes is lifestyle factors. An unhealthy lifestyle with poor diet and little exercise is the most common cause of type 2 diabetes.
Coincidentally, this lifestyle in and of itself can cause serious damage to the body without the added burden of hardened blood vessels due to diabetes.
Already high-risk diabetic patients are at an even increased risk if they continue with their unhealthy habits.
This is what has many professionals deeply concerned.
As far as the strokes go, there are two main types that the professionals are worried about. The first is the ischemic stroke, where blood flow is interrupted due to a blood clot. The second is the hemorrhagic stroke, where weakened blood vessels simply burst under the demands of normal blood flow.
In the case of a diabetes patient, each type of stroke is very much possible. Blood vessels bare the greatest damage due to a diabetes diagnosis and lead directly to many other serious diseases and conditions.
The best thing you can do is try to maintain healthy blood vessels by regulating your blood sugar. Then, inform yourself of stroke warning signs and symptoms.
To help people remember what to do in the case of a stroke, the Think Fast campaign has come up with an acronym that is easy to remember:
Face – has their face fallen on one side? Can they smile?
Arms – can they raise both arms and keep them there?
Speech – is their speech slurred?
Time – to call 911 if you see any single one of these signs of a stroke
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