Diabetes can affect circulation. Impaired circulation can affect blood vessels, especially the small blood vessels in the eyes. Because of blood vessel damage, diabetes can cause bleeding and blindness. Similarly, small hemorrhages in the brain can cause paralysis and death. Diabetes can also accelerate the process of atherosclerosis. These causes can independently cause a stroke, but there are many more: 1. Diabetics have a three-fold increased risk of stroke. 2. Studies have found that diabetics have a twofold increased risk of hypertension than people without the disease. 3, another study found that 42% of stroke patients suffer from diabetes. 4, diabetes and hypertension combined is very common. 5, diabetic patients are also more likely to obesity and cholesterol increases.