Diabetes and Stroke
- Helen O' Shea, Clinical Nurse Specialist and Amanda Madden, Clinical Nurse Manager
- 3 minute read
- Last updated: October 2024
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When you have diabetes, you are at higher risk of getting cardiovascular disease, which can lead to a stroke. People with diabetes can’t process sugar properly. If your blood sugar stays high over time, it can affect the vessels carrying blood around your body and can damage the lining of blood vessles. This build-up can narrow and block the vessels and hinder the transport of oxygen and nutrients in the blood.
Life style advise
- Eat a healthy balanced diet and be aware of carbohydrate foods and serving sizes, as advised by your diabetes team.
- Avoid high sugar foods such as sweets, cakes, crisps, bars and fizzy drinks. Aim to achieve and maintain a healthy weight and waistline.
- Aim to exercise as tolerated or advised.
- Don't smoke or vape.
Medication and blood glucose advise
- Take your medication as prescribed and if any concerns discuss with your doctor.
- Monitor blood glucose levels at home as advised.
- Ensure hands are washed and dried prior to checking blood glucose levels.
- Ensure you are checking glucose levels pre meals and if post meals ensure it is two hours post meals. Be aware of your blood glucose targets.
Avoiding complication
- Examine your feet daily; use a mirror if necessary to ensure there are no breaks on your skin.
- Moisturise daily.
- Wear comfortable shoes and socks.
- Do not use a hot water bottle.
- Cuts and blisters: If you get a cut or blister, keep it clean and dry. Contact your GP (family doctor) or podiatrist if slow to heal.
- Attend retinal screening appointment yearly.
- Attend your appointments for your diabetes with your GP or diabetes team. If you have to cancel an appointment, ensure you reschedule it.
HbA1c test - A check of the average blood sugar over the months.
- It is very important to try and maintain normal blood sugar levels. HbA1c is a blood test that gives an average measure of your blood sugar levels over a period of two to three months.
- HbA1c stands for haemoglobin A1c. The test finds out how much sugar is attached to your haemoglobin, which is a protein in your red blood cells. When blood sugar levels are high, more glucose attaches to your haemoglobin, and you get higher HbA1c levels.
- High HbA1c levels put you at more risk of a stroke.
- The non-diabetic normal range is: 20 - 42 mmols/mol
- Type 2 diabetes target is: less than 48 mmols/mol
- Type 1 diabetes target is: less than 53 mmols/mol
- Individual tatgets will be set depending on your age, how long you had diabetes and other health conditions.
- You blood vessels can also be damaged by high cholesterol (fats) and high blood pressure. Get your HbA1c, cholesterol and blood pressure checked twice a year as part of the chronic disease program with your GP. This will help to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke.
