Diabetes and Stroke—A Focused Review

Abstract

Abstract Globally, diabetes mellitus (DM) and stroke are two common chronic illnesses that have a substantial impact on rates of morbidity and mortality. There is significant evidence linking diabetes to an increased risk of stroke in terms of incidence, severity, and mortality. This extensive review looks at shared risk factors, underlying pathophysiological mechanisms, epidemiological trends, and evidence-based therapy approaches to give a thorough analysis of the causal relationship between diabetes mellitus and stroke. Studies using epidemiological data regularly show that people with diabetes have a higher incidence of stroke than people without the disease. Furthermore, diabetes is linked to a less favorable outcome following a stroke, as well as an elevated chance of stroke recurrence. Determining the pathophysiological pathways that connect diabetes and stroke is essential to understanding their relationship. Key pathophysiological processes associated with these disorders include endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia. Due to microvascular complications, these mechanisms raise the risk of hemorrhagic stroke and predispose diabetics to an increased risk of ischemic stroke by creating a prothrombotic and atherosclerotic milieu. Diabetes and stroke are linked due to shared risk factors like smoking, obesity, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and poor glycemic control. Lifestyle changes, blood pressure control, lipid-lowering therapy, antiplatelet medicines, and a nutritious diet are essential for stroke risk reduction. Reducing the risk of stroke in people with diabetes requires the implementation of management techniques that focus on both diabetes control and stroke prevention. Optimizing results and lowering the frequency of stroke-related complications in diabetics requires multidisciplinary care. The intricate interactions between diabetes mellitus and stroke are highlighted in this review’s conclusion, which also highlights the value of patient education, risk factor treatment, the effect of antidiabetic therapy on stroke, and integrated care in lowering the incidence of stroke in people with diabetes.