You might think of diabetes and stroke as two different health problems. After all, one has to do with your blood sugar, and the other is about cardiovascular health. However, scientists are recognizing more links between these two health conditions.
Diabetes and stroke may go hand in hand if you don’t properly manage your diabetes. Learn more about the heart health risks associated with chronic high blood sugar.
How Diabetes Can Damage Your Blood Vessels
Patients with type 2 diabetes have high blood glucose levels and may need medication to control it. If your blood sugar remains high over long periods, it can lead to problems with your blood vessels and overall heart health.
Chronic high blood sugar narrows your blood vessels, which transport blood to and from your brain. As these vessels narrow and build up fatty plaque deposits, your brain can’t get the blood flow it needs. This puts you at increased risk of a stroke.
What Happens During a Stroke
When you have a stroke, your brain doesn’t receive the amount of blood and oxygen it needs to function properly.
Strokes can cause lasting effects like:
- Numbness and tingling
- Inability to speak coherently
- Trouble thinking and processing information
- Paralysis
- Permanent brain damage
In some cases, strokes are fatal. That’s why it’s so important to understand the link between diabetes and stroke — so you can reduce your risk as much as possible.
Preventing Cardiovascular Health Complications
Work closely with your healthcare provider to manage your diabetes before it compromises your heart health. The best treatment for stroke is prevention. Follow a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise while controlling your blood glucose levels.
If you’ve already suffered from a stroke, stem cell therapy may be promising for regenerating damaged tissues and restoring you to health. Consider all your treatment options as you navigate life after this frightening cardiovascular event.
This post was written by a medical professional at Stemedix Inc. At Stemedix we provide access to Regenerative Medicine. Regenerative medicine has the natural potential to help improve symptoms sometimes lost from the progression of many conditions. The professionals at stemedix will break down exactly what is stem cell therapy.
