Baseline Medical

Risk Of Stroke 1.5 Times Higher In Diabetics Allentown

What is a stroke?

A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of your brain is suddenly interrupted. Then brain tissue is damaged. Most strokes happen because a blood clot blocks a blood vessel in the brain or neck. A stroke can cause movement problems, pain, numbness and problems with thinking, remembering or speaking. Some people also have emotional problems, such as depression, after a stroke.

What does diabetes have to do with strokes?

If you have diabetes, your chances of having a stroke are 1.5 times higher than in people who don't have diabetes. But you can lower your risk by taking care of your health.

How do I know whether I'm at high risk for a stroke?

Having diabetes raises your risk for stroke. But your risk is even greater if:

• · you're over age 55
• · your family background is African American
• · you've already had a stroke or a transient ischemic (ih-SKEE-mik) attack (also called a TIA or a mini-stroke)
• · you have a family history of stroke or TIAs
• · you have heart disease
• · you have high blood pressure
• · you're overweight
• · you have high LDL (bad) cholesterol and low HDL (good) cholesterol levels
• · you are not physically active
• · you smoke

You can't change some of these risk factors. But you can lower your chances of having a stroke by taking care of your diabetes and tackling some of the other risk factors, such as losing weight if you're overweight. It's up to you.

How can I lower my risk of having a stroke?

Lower your risk by keeping your blood glucose (blood sugar), blood pressure and cholesterol on target with healthy eating, physical activity, and, if needed, medicine. And if you smoke, quit. Every step you take will help. The closer your numbers are to your targets, the better your chances of preventing a stroke.

How is a stroke diagnosed?

A number of tests may be done if a stroke is suspected:

· Your health care provider will check for changes in how your body is working. For example, your provider will check your ability to move your arms and legs. Your health care provider also can check brain functions such as your ability to read or to describe a picture.

· CT and MRI tests use special scans to provide images of the brain.

· An ECG (electrocardiogram) provides information on heart rate and rhythm.

· An ultrasound examination can show problems in the carotid (kuh-ROT-ihd) arteries, which carry blood from the heart to the brain.

· In a cerebral (seh-REEB-rahl) arteriogram (ar-TEER-ee-oh-gram), a small tube is inserted into an artery and positioned in the neck. The health care provider injects dye into the artery. Then the provider takes X-rays to look for narrowed or blocked arteries.
Source: American Diabetes Assoc ®

Carotid artery ultrasound examinations can be done before a stroke is suspected. The ultrasound exam is done to assess the blood flow and wall structure of the arteries in the neck that supply blood from the heart to the face and brain.

The 10 minute noninvasive exam is offered by Baseline Medical at several locations in the Lehigh Valley.
Contact Baseline Medical TODAY to schedule your exam and know your risk of stroke. Over 80% of all strokes occur with problems that can be seen with flow in the carotid arteries in the neck.

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