By Jada Whaley
It was an ordinary afternoon at my house, and my uncle was visiting. He had been living with Type 2 diabetes for years, along with heart problems and high blood pressure. We all knew he had health issues, but like many families, we had grown used to managing around them. He took medications and went to appointments sometimes — nothing felt urgent. Then I heard my mom scream. I ran downstairs, my heart racing. When I swung open the door to the porch, I saw my uncle lying on the ground.
He lay motionless, a small trickle of blood forming at his lips, eyes unfocused. My mom was crying and calling his name over and over again. For a second, I froze. Then panic took over. I had never witnessed a seizure before. Seizures can occur in people with diabetes when blood sugar levels become dangerously high or low. My uncle’s heart problems added another layer of risk. Poor cardiovascular health can reduce oxygen delivery to the brain, increasing the likelihood of neurological complications. All I knew in that moment was that someone I loved was on the ground outside my home, and I was terrified we were about to lose him. The ambulance arrived, but the image of him lying on that porch has never left me.
Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease that affects how the body uses insulin to control blood sugar. When blood sugar remains high over time, it damages blood vessels and nerves throughout the body. Diabetes significantly increases the risk of heart disease and stroke. In fact, adults with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to have heart disease or a stroke compared to those without diabetes. High blood pressure, which my uncle also had, places even more strain on the heart and arteries. These diseases develop slowly, but their complications can appear suddenly and without warning. Before that day, I knew he had “health problems.” After that day, I understood how serious those problems truly were.
The seizure was not the first sign that his body was struggling. A couple years earlier, he had lost a toe. It started as a small wound on his foot. Because diabetes can cause nerve damage, many patients do not feel injuries right away. At the same time, diabetes reduces circulation, which slows healing and increases the risk of infection. Diabetes is the leading cause of non-traumatic lower limb amputations in adults. Doctors eventually had to amputate his toe to prevent the infection from spreading further. It changed how he walked. It changed his balance. It changed his confidence. And it was a visible reminder that chronic disease was slowly damaging his body.
Not long after the seizure on the porch, he had a stroke. Diabetes and heart disease both increase stroke risk because they damage and narrow blood vessels over time. High blood sugar and high blood pressure can contribute to blockages or ruptures in the arteries that supply the brain. Watching it unfold in real time made the statistics feel real. This was no longer something I read about in a textbook; it was happening in my family.
Diabetes and heart disease are two of the most common chronic diseases in the United States. More than 37 million Americans have diabetes, and millions more have prediabetes without knowing it. Risk factors include poor diet, lack of physical activity, obesity, smoking, high blood pressure and family history. Many cases are preventable or manageable with early intervention, lifestyle changes and consistent medical care. One of the most dangerous aspects of chronic disease is that damage builds quietly. Someone may appear stable for years before a seizure, stroke or cardiac emergency. Chronic disease does not just affect one person; it affects families, too.
After witnessing my uncle’s emergencies, I began to see prevention differently. Now that he is in remission and has not had a seizure or stroke in a while, it showed me that these outcomes are not inevitable and that proper care can make a real difference. I learned the importance of knowing family history, that managing blood pressure and blood sugar is not optional and that small symptoms should not be ignored. I also learned to recognize the warning signs of stroke using the FAST method: face drooping, arm weakness, speech difficulty, time to call emergency services. Most importantly, I realized that emergencies may feel sudden, but they are often the result of years of unmanaged disease.
If you or someone you love has diabetes or heart disease, take it seriously. Attend regular medical appointments, monitor blood sugar and blood pressure consistently, take medications as prescribe and check feet daily for wounds or changes. Seek immediate medical care for chest pain, slurred speech, confusion or seizures. Get screened early, especially if you have a family history of these conditions, and reduce your risk factors by maintaining a healthy weight, staying physically active and eating a balanced diet. Prevention may not feel urgent, until you hear a scream that changes everything.
Jada Whaley is a third-year public health major.
“My Public Health Story” essays originated from an assignment on public health storytelling for a public health messaging and dissemination course led by Gaia Zori, Ph.D., M.P.H., coordinator for the social and behavioral sciences and public health practice concentrations in the Master of Public Health program.