“Magic Number” PREVENTS Stroke for Diabetics?

This number can lower your stroke or heart attack risk

There are many disadvantages when it comes to type 2 diabetes. 

Aside from having to constantly check your blood sugar and monitor everything you eat, you’re also a greater risk for a number of other health issues. 

One of which is being TWICE as likely to have a stroke compared to non-diabetics.  

(And let’s not forget that one in four people who have one stroke will have a second stroke.) 

I don’t like those odds. 

But here’s something I do like… 

A study just identified ideal blood sugar levels for diabetics that can lower their risk of having a second stroke. 

Here’s what you should strive for… 

The hemoglobin A1C test, or HbA1c, measures your average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months.  

The results of this test will determine whether you’re normal (below 5.7 percent), pre-diabetic (5.7-6.5 percent), or diabetic (6.5 percent or higher). 

Researchers studied the HbA1c levels of 18,000 diabetics admitted to the hospital with an ischemic stroke. 

Since 25 percent of people who have one stroke will have a second one, researchers wanted to find out if there was any way to lower this risk. 

They measured their HbA1c levels to find out if there was a connection between this blood sugar measure and the risk of having a second stroke within one year. 

Results showed that those admitted to the hospital with an A1C level of 7.0 percent or greater had a 27 percent higher risk of having another vascular event like a heart attack or stroke within the next year, compared to people whose A1C levels were 6.5 percent or lower. 

The moral of the story? 

If you want to stay healthy and avoid major health problems like heart disease and stroke, you have to start taking your blood sugar levels as seriously as you do measures like blood pressure and cholesterol. 

This is the case even if—especially if—you already have type 2 diabetes.