Preparing questions in advance can help patients have more meaningful discussions with their physicians regarding their conditions. Patients may wish to ask their doctor the following questions about stroke and diabetes:

1. Am I at increased risk of stroke?
   
   
2. Would I be more likely to have an ischemic stroke or a hemorrhagic stroke?
   
   
3. How can my diabetes affect my risk of or recovery from a stroke?
   
   
4. Do mild or moderate swings in my blood sugar affect my risk of stroke?
   
   
5. My father was diabetic and suffered a stroke, but I do not have diabetes – am I at increased risk for stroke as well?
   
   
6. What signs and symptoms of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA) should I watch for?
   
   
7. What should I do if I may be experiencing a stroke or TIA?
   
   
8. Does having a TIA or cerebrovascular disease mean I will likely experience a major stroke?
   
   
9. What are my treatment options, and which do you recommend?
   
   
10. What will my stroke rehabilitation involve? How much therapy will I get? What can I do to benefit most from my therapy?
    
    
11. How much function am I likely to recover?
    
    
12. Will I receive tests that show my risk of a second stroke?
    
    
13. Can I prevent a stroke or second stroke by improving diet, exercise and other habits?
    
    
14. Should I take preventive medicine such as aspirin, or would that have more risks than benefits for me?