Stroke
High blood sugars increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Atherosclerosis, or ěhardening of the arteriesî is a common cause of these problems. Arteries or blood vessels become narrowed or clogged. Total blockage of an artery feeding the brain causes a stroke. This lack of blood supply to the brain causes tissue death. Any long-term damage from a stroke depends on the part of the brain affected.
Some people get warning signs before a stroke occurs.
It helps to know these signs. Early treatment can prevent a stroke or lessen the damage from a stroke. Warning signs are:
- A sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body. This tends to occur in the face, arm or leg.
- Sudden loss of vision or dimness in one eye
- Sudden, severe headaches with no clear cause
- Loss of speech or trouble talking
- Inability to read or understand speech
- Being dizzy, clumsy or falling without a reason, along with any of the symptoms above.
If you have diabetes, you are two to three times more likely to suffer a stroke. High blood sugars are partly to blame for the clogged blood vessels.
Take steps to prevent a stroke. Hereís how:
- Keep your blood sugars under good control. Aim for blood sugars of 80 mg/dl-120 mg/dl before meals, and 100 mg/dl-140 mg/dl at bedtime.
- Keep your Hemoglobin A1c (an average blood sugar test) at 7% or less.
- Keep blood pressure at or below 130/80 mmHg
- Donít smoke, drink too much alcohol, or use illegal drugs.
- Keep cholesterol levels in control (below 200 mg/dl).
- Eat a healthy diet
- Exercise most days
Questions?
If you have further questions about stroke, contact your diabetes healthcare team.
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