When people with diabetes have a stroke, the results may be more devastating than for other patients. That's because with diabetes, the arteries throughout the body - including the brain - are often narrowed by atherosclerosis. As a result, when an artery in the brain becomes blocked by a blood clot, causing a stroke, there are fewer alternate routes for blood to flow to the affected part of the brain.

The symptoms of a stroke include: 

• Sudden numbness or weakness in the face, arm, or leg (especially on one side of the body)
• Difficulty speaking or understanding words; confusion
• Sudden blurred vision or decreased vision in one or both eyes
• Sudden difficulty swallowing
• Dizziness or loss of balance
• Brief loss of consciousness
• Sudden inability to move part of the body (paralysis)
• Sudden severe headache

Both heart attack and stroke are emergencies that require immediate treatment. If you experience any of these symptoms, call 911.

To learn more about Stroke, click here.