Increased stroke risk tied to diabetic retinopathy

Diabetics often suffer from diabetic retinopathy which damages the small blood vessels in the retina. This damage can lead to blindness and has also been linked to an increased risk of heart attack. Now researchers are finding a link to an increased stroke risk.

The study was conducted by researchers at the University of Utah Health Hospitals and Clinics and involved 874 people with diabetes who developed diabetic retinopathy and 1,954 diabetic patients who did not develop diabetic retinopathy. Participants were followed for five years.

What researchers found was that 117 patients had a stroke and after accounting for other stroke factors, those participants who had diabetic retinopathy had a 60% higher risk of stroke than those diabetic patients who did not have diabetic retinopathy. 41% of those diabetic patients who had a stroke also had diabetic retinopathy compared to 30% of those without diabetic retinopathy suffering from a stroke.

Researchers stressed the need for diabetic patients to receive aggressive medical management to try and reduce their stroke risk. Diabetics should strive to maintain good blood glucose levels and those already diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy should be diligent about following stroke prevention steps such as exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight and not smoking.