People with diabetes may have around double the risk of having a stroke than those without diabetes.
How does diabetes increase your risk of stroke?
Diabetes means you have too much sugar (glucose) in your blood. This can increase the risk of a stroke, because having too much sugar in your blood damages the blood vessels.
High blood sugar levels can:
- Make blood vessels become stiff.
- Cause a build-up of fatty deposits (atherosclerosis).
This can sometimes lead to a blood clot, which can cause a stroke if blood supply to part of your brain is blocked.
How can I reduce my risk of stroke if I have diabetes?
Although having high blood sugars over a period of time puts you at risk of a stroke, you can reduce your risk in several ways. These include:
- Taking your medication as prescribed. Your healthcare team can help you understand and take any prescribed diabetes medications correctly.
- Attending your diabetes health checks. These monitor your blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol and kidney function. High cholesterol and high blood pressure are also risk factors for stroke. Following any treatment needed for these conditions and managing your blood sugar can help reduce your risk of a stroke.
- Getting advice and support with healthy eating, managing your weight, being more physically active, stopping smoking and cutting down on alcohol if you drink.
- Joining a free diabetes education course to help you manage your condition.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes causes your blood glucose (sugar) level to become too high. A hormone called insulin helps your body move glucose from the blood into the cells, where it can be used as energy. Diabetes develops when your body is not able to produce enough insulin, or the insulin it does produce does not work properly.
Types of diabetes
There are two main types of diabetes, both of which can increase your risk of a stroke.
- Type 1 diabetes means you cannot produce insulin. It often starts in childhood, but adults can get it too. It affects around 8% of people with diabetes.
- Type 2 diabetes means you do not produce enough insulin, or that your body cells are not responding to insulin. It is mainly an adult condition although children and young people may be diagnosed with it too. It affects more than 90% of people with diabetes.
Gestational diabetes
Some pregnant women can get a temporary form of diabetes called gestational diabetes. It usually goes away after the baby is born, although it increases the mother’s risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the future.
The NHS has more information about gestational diabetes.
Where to get support and information
Stroke Support Helpline
Our Stroke Support Helpline offers information and support for anyone affected by a stroke. This includes friends and family members.
Call us on: 0303 3033 100, from a textphone: 18001 0303 3033 100 or email: helpline@stroke.org.uk.
- Diabetes UK provides detailed information and support to people living with diabetes, including details of local support groups and how to lead a healthy lifestyle. Helpline: 0345 123 2399
- Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundationis a charity that raises awareness of diabetes and provides information and support to people living with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Tel: 0239 263 7808
Stop smoking services
- NHS Better Health (England) Helpline: 0300 123 1044
- Help Me Quit (Wales) Helpline: 0800 085 2219
- Stop Smoking (Northern Ireland)
- Quit Your Way (Scotland) Helpline: 0800 848484
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