Women with diabetes are twice at the risk of suffering a stroke than those without the disease, experts say.
According to Alexandra Kautzky-Willer from the Medical University of Vienna and the Vienna General Hospital, the reason for the increased risk is the disturbed blood sugar regulation.
Recent studies, Kautzky-Willer said, have shown that women with diabetes are three times more likely to have a stroke than men who have it.
"The vascular function and blood coagulation are particularly unfavourable changes, which lead to women having a higher risk for the formation of thromboses," Kautzky-Willer said.
She noted the higher blood sugar levels are not the only problem.
Hypertension, inflammations, and various lifestyle factors such as depression also play a role, meaning not only diabetes therapy should be sought.
"It is about a general lifestyle intervention and treatment of all risk factors," Kautzky-Willer was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.
She said lifestyle changes implemented earlier on can prevent gestational diabetes, a risk factor for type 2 diabetes later in life, and also cardiovascular disease.
