Diabetes and high blood pressure raise risk of silent stroke
The combination of high blood pressure and diabetes may increase a person's risk of having "silent strokes," according to a study in the rapid access issue of Stroke: Journal of the American Heart Association.
Silent strokes don't cause symptoms, but people who have multiple silent strokes—called silent cerebral infarcts (SCIs)—have a higher risk of having a full stroke. SCIs have also been linked to cognitive problems and dementia.
The study involved 360 Japanese people who had high blood pressure. Of the study group, 159 people also had diabetes.
For a 24-hour period, researchers had study participants wear devices that checked blood pressure every 30 minutes while the people went about their normal routines.
Each study participant also underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain to check for silent strokes. The strokes appear as blockages in small arteries leading to deep white matter in the brain.
Evidence of silent strokes was detected in 82 percent of the people who had both diabetes and high blood pressure, but in just 58 percent of the people who had high blood pressure alone.
In addition, 62 percent of people who had both conditions had three or more silent strokes, compared to 35 percent of people who only had high blood pressure.
SCIs were more likely in people who were older, had diabetes and had high blood pressure for 10 years or more. In addition, being male, or having high systolic (the first number in a blood pressure reading) blood pressure during monitoring increased the likelihood of multiple SCIs.
Researchers said that aggressive blood pressure control is crucial for people who have had multiple SCIs. They also stressed the importance of treating high blood pressure in people with diabetes.
In addition, lead study author Kazuo Eguchi, M.D., said people who have high blood pressure should take steps to avoid diabetes, such as controlling their weight, eating a healthful diet and exercising regularly.