Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPrognosis
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prognosis
Vascular dementia results from impaired blood flow to the brain. AfterAlzheimer’s disease, it’s considered the second most common type ofdementia.Vascular dementia also often occurs alongside Alzheimer’s disease, resulting in mixed dementia.
Between 5% and 10% of people over the age of 65 in developed countries have vascular dementia. The risk of developing it increases dramatically with age.Vascular dementia is estimated to account for between 15% and 30% of all dementia cases.
Learning about vascular dementia can help you know how to reduce your risk as well as know what to expect if you’ve been diagnosed. This article gives an overview of the symptoms, causes, and outlook of vascular dementia.
More recently, some physicians use the term “vascular cognitive impairment,” perhaps because it seems to capture the wide range of cognitive decline (from mild to severe) that vascular dementia can cause.
Verywell / Emily Roberts
Vascular Dementia Symptoms
Symptoms of vascular dementia can appear suddenly or be subtle at first and worsen over time. People with vascular dementia often display multiple cognitive problems including:
In many cases, symptoms make it difficult to hold a job, carry out household responsibilities, or maintain social relationships. People with vascular dementia also experience neurological symptoms including:
Depending on the individual and on the cause of dementia,delusions, confusion,agitation,urinary problems, and/or depression can also accompany vascular dementia.
Interestingly,memory lossusually occurs later in vascular dementiacompared to Alzheimer’s disease.
In vascular dementia, the first symptoms are often the neurological ones, such as problems with reflexes, walking, and muscle weakness. On the other hand, memory problems andbehavioral symptomsare commonly the first issues noticed in Alzheimer’s.
Additionally, vascular dementia often progresses in a stepwise fashion. For example, the person will seem stable for a period of time, then suddenly get much worse, and continue to alternate between stable periods and sudden drops in functioning. Alzheimer’s disease typically progresses in a more gradual, downward fashion.
Vascular dementia can occur due to either a narrowing or a completeblockage of blood vessels in the brain, which deprives brain cells of nutrients and oxygen they need to function properly.
In addition, vascular dementia often results from several small strokes that occur over time. It can also occur after a single majorstroke, which is sometimes referred to as “post-stroke dementia.”
Not all strokes lead to dementia, but up to one-third of those who have a stroke will develop dementia within six months.
Conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes that narrow blood vessels gradually over time can also lead to vascular dementia.
Risk Factors
People who develop vascular dementia often have a history of certain conditions:
In particular, if an individual has a history of multiple strokes, the risk of developing vascular dementia increases with the number of strokes they’ve experienced.
Other factors that may increase your risk include:
As withAlzheimer’s disease, a complete diagnostic workup should be performed in order to rule out other possible causes of the person’s symptoms.
If you feel you are experiencing symptoms of dementia, talk with a primary care provider first. They’ll assess your symptoms, medical history, medications, and cardiovascular risk factors. They’ll likely give youtests to assess your memory and thinking skills. They may also order blood tests to look for other conditions that may be responsible for your symptoms.
Based on those results, they may refer you to a specialist for further evaluation.
Vascular dementia is usually identified through imaging procedures, which can reveal strokes and narrowed or blocked arteries.These tests could include:
Neuropsychological tests might also be conducted to determine the nature and extent of cognitive impairment.
Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) Test for Dementia
Managing cardiovascular problems through medication and/or lifestyle changes may also help slow the worsening of vascular dementia symptoms. It’s critical to control blood pressure, pulse, cholesterol, blood sugar, and weight, all of which impact brain health and the ease of blood flow to the brain.
Behavior managementstrategies are also useful for handling the challenging behaviors that sometimes accompany vascular dementia.
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Currently, there is no cure for vascular dementia, and damage that has already occurred in the brain can’t be reversed. The goal of treatment is to prevent further damage, manage symptoms, and support function as much as possible.
Life expectancy for someone with vascular dementia is highly individual and depends on the nature of the cardiovascular problems that are causing dementia, along with the person’s age and other medical conditions.
Summary
Vascular dementia results from impaired blood flow to the brain and is the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. A host of cognitive and neurological impairments accompany vascular dementia, including memory impairment and trouble with coordination such as walking and balancing.
It is best to consult a healthcare provider early if you think you or a loved one are experiencing dementia symptoms. Though there is no cure, there are treatment options and ways to manage.
13 Diseases Linked to Dementia
12 Sources
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