Diabetes and Stroke Symptoms - Diabetic Stroke Symptoms

Diabetes and Stroke Symptoms

Diabetes and Stroke Symptoms
September 11, 2008
John A. Seibel, MD
WebMD


If you have diabetes, it’s important to understand your increased risk of stroke. Multiple studies have shown that people with diabetes are at greater risk for stroke compared to people without diabetes regardless of the number of health risk factors they have. Overall, the health risk of cardiovascular disease (including stroke) is two-and-a-half times higher in men and women with diabetes compared to people without diabetes.

What Are the Symptoms of Stroke?

A stroke is an emergency whether you have diabetes or not. If you experience any of these symptoms, call 911 immediately. You must get to the hospital as soon as possible.

Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body).
Difficulty speaking or understanding words or simple sentences.
Sudden blurred vision or decreased vision in one or both eyes.
Sudden difficulty swallowing.
Dizziness, loss of balance or becoming uncoordinated.
Brief loss of consciousness.
Sudden inability to move part of the body (paralysis).
Sudden, unexplainable, and intense headache.