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5 Interesting Facts About Stroke and Diabetes

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of death in the world. It can cause many health complications and is known to increase the risk of stroke. (1) But the level of risk is influenced by a number of factors, including the type of diabetes, a person’s age, sex and where they live. Here are a few interesting facts about diabetes and stroke:

 

  1. Diabetics are 1.5 times more likely to have a stroke

Excess blood sugar has a devastating effect on all the blood vessels in the body, especially the brain. In fact, diabetic patients are around 1.5 times more susceptible to a stroke event. The risk of stroke increases in those who have other health problems, such as high cholesterol, and also increase with age, nearly doubling for each decade over the age of 55. (2). The International Diabetes Federation has predicted that the number of people with diabetes will rise 50% by 2030. (1)

 

  1. Around 90% of diabetic stroke happens to people with Type 2 diabetes

There are three different types of diabetes. Type 1 is usually diagnosed in childhood or during teenage years. This occurs when your body can’t produce any insulin and often runs in families. Type 2 develops when your body can’t produce enough insulin or doesn’t react to it in the right way. This tends to affect older adults. The third type is gestational diabetes, which occurs during pregnancy and often resolves on its own. Around 90% of people with diabetes have Type 2. Therefore, it’s no surprise that the majority of diabetic strokes happen to this group of patients (3).

 

  1. Both types of diabetes carry a risk for stroke

Despite the fact that more people in the world have Type 2 diabetes than Type 1, all types of diabetes are associated with an increased risk of stroke. The cardiovascular system comprises the heart and all the blood vessels that pump and move blood around your body, including those that control blood flow to your brain. Individuals with Type 1 diabetes are more likely to suffer coronary heart disease and peripheral arterial disease. While those with Type 2 diabetes are more likely to have obesity, large artery atherosclerosis and stroke (3). Mothers with gestational diabetes also have a higher risk of stroke later in life.  (4)

 

  1. Risk of stroke increases with poor blood sugar control

The causes and risk factors for Type 1 diabetes remain unknown and there are currently no prevention strategies. But, thanks to the discovery of insulin, people with Type 1 have found an effective way to keep their diabetes under control. Problems arise when blood sugar levels rise to excessive levels, because this can cause a build-up of fats or deposits inside vessels that supply the neck and brain, leading to ischaemic or ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke (5).

 

  1. Diabetes is set to increase by 69% in developing countries

The number of people with diabetes is expected to increase to 578 million worldwide by 2030. The prevalence is higher in urban rather than rural areas and in high-income, rather than low-income, countries. One in two people don’t know they have diabetes yet just under half a billion people are living with it worldwide. This is set to increase by 25% in the next ten years and by 51% by 2045 (6).

Listening to the facts about diabetes and stroke can be concerning. But it’s important to remember that Type 2 diabetes, the most common of all, is largely preventable by making a few lifestyle changes. Stop smoking, eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly to help keep your blood sugar levels under control and reduce your risk of Type 2 diabetes and stroke.

 

References

  1. Li, S., Wang, J., Zhang, B., Li, X., & Liu, Y. (2019). Diabetes Mellitus and Cause-Specific Mortality: A Population-Based Study. Diabetes & metabolism journal, 43(3), 319–341. https://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2018.0060.
  2. Ann Pietrangelo Stroke: Diabetes and other risk factors. Oct 15, 2019. Medically reviewed by Maria Prelipcean, M.D. https://www.healthline.com/health/diabetes/diabetes-and-stroke.
  3. Rong Chen et al. Am J Med Sci. Author; available in PMC 2017 Feb 8. Diabetes and Stroke: Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Pharmaceuticals and Outcomes. doi: 10.1016/j.amjms.2016.01.011.
  4. Tobias, DK, Stuart JJ, Li S, et al. Association of history of gestational diabetes with long-term cardiovascular disease risk in a Large Prospective Cohort of US Women [published online October 16, 2017]. JAMA Intern Med. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2017.27.
  5. C. Hedén Ståhl et. al. Glycaemic control and excess risk of ischaemic and haemorrhagic stroke in patients with type 1 diabetes: a cohort study of 33 453 patient. First published: 07 December 2016https://doi.org/10.1111/joim.12572. .
  6. Pouya Saeedi et al. Global and regional diabetes prevalence estimates for 2019 and projections for 2030 and 2045: Results from the International Diabetes Federation Diabetes Atlas, 9th edition. Published September 10, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2019.107843 .

 

Updated February 2022

Next review 2024