ALEXANDRIA, Va., May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 21 million Americans currently have diabetes, a condition that dramatically increases the risk of stroke. Yet results of a recent survey of 2,000 people with diabetes commissioned by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) in 2005 showed that 90 percent did not name stroke as a potential complication of diabetes, prompting leading health groups to launch a renewed emphasis on this serious health issue.
During May's National Stroke Awareness Month, the ADA and the ACC are joining forces to stress the critical link between diabetes and stroke and to help people with diabetes reduce their risks. Statistics show that people with diabetes are two to four times more likely to suffer from a stroke than people without diabetes. In fact, two out of three people with diabetes actually die from stroke or heart disease. A stroke, which occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is interrupted, typically results in brain tissue damage that can cause physical problems such as paralysis or problems with speaking. According to the National Stroke Association, 15 percent of people who suffer from a stroke die shortly thereafter.
"As the prevalence of diabetes continues to rise, research suggests that more and more people with diabetes will suffer the harmful effects of stroke," said Brett M. Kissela, MD, Associate Professor and Director, Neurology Residency Program, University of Cincinnati. "Furthermore, in people with diabetes, stroke is much more likely to result in severe disability and poor quality of life. Thankfully, people with diabetes can reduce their risk of stroke by working with their health care provider to comprehensively manage diabetes and other stroke risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
African Americans are hit particularly hard by diabetes and stroke. According to 2005 data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), African-American adults are significantly (1.8 times) more likely to suffer from diabetes than non-Hispanic whites. One recent study also found that stroke patients with diabetes are younger and more likely to be African- American than patients without diabetes. Alarmingly, the same study found African-Americans with diabetes under the age of 55 are about eight times more likely to suffer a stroke than those without diabetes.
Research has also shown that more than 40 percent of the most common form of stroke may be attributed to the effects of diabetes alone or in combination with high blood pressure. Regardless of ethnicity, all people with diabetes are at a substantially higher risk of suffering a stroke and should be aware of common warning signs:
* weakness or numbness on one side of the body * sudden confusion or trouble understanding * trouble talking * dizziness, loss of balance, or trouble walking * trouble seeing out of one or both eyes * double vision * severe headache
To lower the risk of stroke and heart disease, people with diabetes should work closely with their health care provider to manage the "ABCs of Diabetes:"
A: A1C, the test that measures average blood sugar over the past 3 months, should be less than 7, and checked at least twice a year. B: Blood pressure should be below 130/80, and measured at every visit. C: Cholesterol (LDL or "bad") should be below 100, and checked once a year.
The ABCs can be managed with proper meal planning, physical activity and medications. The closer the ABC numbers are to the target goals, the better the chances of preventing heart disease and stroke. Quitting smoking and losing weight if needed will also help. People with diabetes can learn even more about reducing their risk for stroke on the ADA's Choose to Live Challenge, a Web-based tool that helps visitors focus on a unique aspect of proper diabetes management each month. May's challenge addresses "Lowering Your Blood Pressure," and can be found at diabetes.org/challenge.
Make the Link! Diabetes, Heart Disease and Stroke is a joint national initiative of the American Diabetes Association and the American College of Cardiology aimed at reducing deaths from heart disease and stroke among people with diabetes. To learn more about reducing your risk for heart disease and stroke, call 1-800-DIABETES (1-800-342-2383) and request a free copy of "Choose to Live: Your Diabetes Survival Guide," a comprehensive resource on managing the ABCs of diabetes. Information call also be found online at http://www.diabetes.org/MaketheLink.
The American Diabetes Association is the nation's leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the Association has offices in every region of the country, providing services to hundreds of communities.
The American College of Cardiology, a 33,000-member nonprofit professional medical society and teaching institution, is dedicated to fostering optimal cardiovascular care and disease prevention through professional education, promotion of research, leadership in the development of standards and guidelines, and the formulation of health care policy.
American College of Cardiology
American Diabetes Association;CONTACT: Diane Tuncer of the American Diabetes Association,+1-703-299-5510; or Amy Murphy of the American College of Cardiology,+1-301-581-3476
Web site: http://www.diabetes.org/MaketheLink/
