Just having diabetes puts you at risk, but your. risk is even care of your diabetes and the conditions that. come with it can lower your chances of having …
All About Stroke
Toolkit No 21
En Español
What is a stroke?
A stroke, sometimes called a brain attack, occurs when the blood supply to part of your brain is interrupted and brain tissue is damaged The most common cause is a blocked blood vessel Stroke can cause physical problems such as paralysis, problems with thinking or speaking, and emotional problems
What does diabetes have to do with strokes?
If you have diabetes, youre much more likely to have a stroke, heart disease, or a heart attack In fact, 2 out of 3 people with diabetes die from stroke or heart disease But you can cut your chances of having these problems by taking special care of your heart and blood vessels
Its wise to review the symptoms of a stroke with family and friends and to tell them about the importance of calling 911
How do I know whether Im at high risk for a stroke?
Just having diabetes puts you at risk, but your risk is even greater if you have high blood pressure you have abnormal blood cholesterol levels you smoke youve already had a stroke or a transient ischemic attack TIA, also called a mini-stroke you have a family history of stroke or TIAs You cant change your family history, but taking
care of your diabetes and the conditions that come with it can lower your chances of having a stroke Its up to you
What are the warning signs of a stroke?
Typical warning signs of a stroke develop suddenly and can include weakness or numbness on one side of your body sudden confusion or trouble understanding trouble talking dizziness, loss of balance, or trouble walking trouble seeing out of one or both eyes double vision severe headache Sometimes one or more of these warning signs occur but then disappear That condition, called a TIA, occurs when blood flow is temporarily blocked It means you may be at risk for a future stroke If you have warning signs of a stroke, call 911 right away Getting treatment can help prevent permanent damage to your brain Its wise to review the symptoms of a stroke with family and friends and to tell them about the importance of calling 911
How can I lower my risk of having a stroke?
You can lower your risk by keeping your blood glucose sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol on target with meal planning, physical activity, and medication Quitting smoking is important too Every step you take will help The closer your numbers are to your targets,
the better your chances of preventing a stroke
How is a stroke diagnosed?
A number of tests may be done 
if a stroke is suspected: Your doctor will examine you to check for any changes in body function For example, the doctor can check your ability to move your arms and legs The doctor also will check brain functions such as your ability to read or to describe a picture A CT or MRI magnetic resonance imaging uses special scanning techniques to provide images of the brain An ECG electrocardiogram provides information on heart rate and rhythm An ultrasound examination can show problems in the carotid ca-RAH-tid arteries, which carry blood from the heart to the brain A cerebral seh-REEB-rahl arteriogram is a test in which a catheter is inserted into an artery and positioned in the neck Dye is injected and X rays show whether arteries are narrowed or blocked
Other treatments
Treatment following a stroke includes rehabilitation therapies to restore function or help people relearn skills Physical, occupational, and speech therapy may be included, as well as psychological counseling Steps to prevent future problems should include smoking cessation, meal planning, physical activity,
and medications to manage blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels
Real-Life Stories from People with Diabetes I never knew I was at risk for a stroke But after I had my stroke, I learned that having diabetes puts you at high risk for both a stroke and a heart attack, because diabetes can damage your blood vessels Now Im getting my blood glucose, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control so I can avoid another stroke
Luis Z, age 75 type 2 diabetes
What are the treatments for stroke?
Treatment you need right away
Clot-busting drugs must be given within hours after a stroke to minimize damage Thats why its important to call 911 if youre having symptoms
Surgical treatments you may need
Several options for surgical treatment of blocked blood vessels are available These include Carotid artery surgery, also called carotid endarterectomy en-dar-teh-REK-teh-mee is used to remove buildups of fat inside the artery and to restore blood flow to the brain Carotid stenting is a procedure used to remove a blockage in a blood vessel to the brain A small tube with a balloon attached is threaded into the narrowed or blocked blood vessel Then the balloon is inflated, opening
the narrowed artery A wire tube, or stent, may be left in place to help keep the artery open
American Diabetes Association 1800DIABETES 3422383 wwwdiabetesorg
2004 by the American Diabetes Association, Inc 03/04
