Everything you need to know about
Vascular Dementia
by
Understanding vascular dementia
Risk factors and diagnosis
Treatment and management
What is vascular dementia?
Vascular dementia is one of the most common forms of dementia after Alzheimer's disease, making up 5 to 10 percent of dementia cases. While Alzheimer's is driven by a build-up of proteins in the brain, vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood flow.
Read more
Return
Next
What causes vascular dementia?
The brain needs a constant flow of oxygen-rich blood to function properly. Decreased blood supply to the brain leads to damage and death of brain cells.
Common causes of reduced blood flow to the brain include:
Major strokes
Mini-strokes
Narrowed blood vessels
Return
Next
Risk factors for vascular dementia
Risk increases with age, particularly over age 65
Cardiovascular health factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity
Lifestyle factors including smoking, lack of physical exercise, and poor diet.
Return
Next
Vascular dementia vs. Alzheimer's disease
Vascular dementia
Caused by blood vessel damage Vascular dementia is more likely to cause physical symptoms (weakness or paralysis) and stepped decline
Alzheimer's disease
Caused by the abnormal buildup of proteins (amyloid and tau) Alzheimer's typically causes a gradual and steady decline in cognitive function
Both conditions involve cognitive decline, affecting memory, thinking, and decision-making abilities.
Return
Next
Symptoms of vascular dementia
Cognitive changes
Difficulty with attention, planning, and problem-solving
Mood and behavior
Depression, apathy, and personality changes
Physical signs
Slowed movement, weakness, or balance problems
Memory issues
Trouble with recall, but less severe than in Alzheimer's disease
Return
Next
How is vascular dementia diagnosed?
MRI Scan
MRI scans are essential for diagnosing vascular dementia and distinguishing it from other dementias. They reveal characteristic post-stroke brain chnages like dead tissue, atrophy, enlarged ventricles, and white matter lesions.
CT Scan
CT scans of the brain can also identify strokes and rule out other causes such as tumors. They allow doctors to confirm a diagnosis like vascular dementia, and to monitor progression and guide prognosis and treatment.
Brain imaging
Return
Next
Vascular dementia stages and progression
Vascular dementia leads to various mental and physical challenges. Symptoms may appear abruptly or progressively worsen, but proper care can help manage the condition's advancement.
Early stage
Mild symptoms, like slowness of thought, or concentration problems, that may not significantly impact daily life
Middle stage
More severe memory loss plus increased difficulty with cognitive tasks, planning, and self-care
Late stage
Severe cognitive decline, physical disabilities (frequent falls, loss of bladder control), and need for full-time care
Return
Next
What does vascular dementia feel like?
Gerda Saunders, a former atomic energy research scientist and math teacher who now writes about living with dementia, discusses vascular dementia.
Early symptoms
"I lost a lot of my mathematical capability — and I have a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. But ordinary things also happened that interrupted my daily life. For example, one Easter, we had the kids and grandkids come to our house. We usually have brunch and I had thought I’d made an Amish casserole the night before. It just had to be baked. The next morning, I set the table and when we sat down at the table, I realized I hadn’t baked this casserole."
Gerda SaundersAuthor, mathematician, teacher
HEAR HER STORY
Return
Next
Living with — and managing — vascular dementia
Lifestyle modifications
Medications
Strategies for maintaining independence
Therapies
Safety considerations
Return
Next
Another patient perspective
Being Patient interviewed Mark and Brenda Roberts about their journey following Mark's diagnosis of early-onset vascular dementia at the age of 62.
Early symptoms
"My job was to multitask. I couldn’t do that anymore... I couldn't remember phone numbers... I had it all on my memory, and that was just falling apart for me. Then, I would say, ‘We've got to remember to go do this,’ and they [would say], ‘We just talked about that, and that’s what we’re going to do.’"
Mark Roberts Diagnosed with early-onset vascular dementia
HEAR THEIR STORY
Return
Next
Want to keep learning?
Visit
beingpatient.com
for the latest news and information on brain health and Alzheimer's disease
Return
Simplifying tasks, establishing routines, and using memory aids can help individuals with vascular dementia maintain their independence.
Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and social engagement are essential for supporting brain health and slowing the progression of vascular dementia.
Implementing fall prevention measures, making home modifications, and providing supervision when needed are crucial for ensuring the safety of individuals with vascular dementia.
To manage symptoms and treat underlying cardiovascular issues, medications are prescribed and regularly monitored by healthcare professionals.
Cognitive rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and speech therapy are vital for improving cognitive function and daily living skills in individuals with vascular dementia.
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Transcript
Everything you need to know about
Vascular Dementia
by
Understanding vascular dementia
Risk factors and diagnosis
Treatment and management
What is vascular dementia?
Vascular dementia is one of the most common forms of dementia after Alzheimer's disease, making up 5 to 10 percent of dementia cases. While Alzheimer's is driven by a build-up of proteins in the brain, vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood flow.
Read more
Return
Next
What causes vascular dementia?
The brain needs a constant flow of oxygen-rich blood to function properly. Decreased blood supply to the brain leads to damage and death of brain cells.
Common causes of reduced blood flow to the brain include:
Major strokes
Mini-strokes
Narrowed blood vessels
Return
Next
Risk factors for vascular dementia
Risk increases with age, particularly over age 65
Cardiovascular health factors like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity
Lifestyle factors including smoking, lack of physical exercise, and poor diet.
Return
Next
Vascular dementia vs. Alzheimer's disease
Vascular dementia
Caused by blood vessel damage Vascular dementia is more likely to cause physical symptoms (weakness or paralysis) and stepped decline
Alzheimer's disease
Caused by the abnormal buildup of proteins (amyloid and tau) Alzheimer's typically causes a gradual and steady decline in cognitive function
Both conditions involve cognitive decline, affecting memory, thinking, and decision-making abilities.
Return
Next
Symptoms of vascular dementia
Cognitive changes
Difficulty with attention, planning, and problem-solving
Mood and behavior
Depression, apathy, and personality changes
Physical signs
Slowed movement, weakness, or balance problems
Memory issues
Trouble with recall, but less severe than in Alzheimer's disease
Return
Next
How is vascular dementia diagnosed?
MRI Scan
MRI scans are essential for diagnosing vascular dementia and distinguishing it from other dementias. They reveal characteristic post-stroke brain chnages like dead tissue, atrophy, enlarged ventricles, and white matter lesions.
CT Scan
CT scans of the brain can also identify strokes and rule out other causes such as tumors. They allow doctors to confirm a diagnosis like vascular dementia, and to monitor progression and guide prognosis and treatment.
Brain imaging
Return
Next
Vascular dementia stages and progression
Vascular dementia leads to various mental and physical challenges. Symptoms may appear abruptly or progressively worsen, but proper care can help manage the condition's advancement.
Early stage
Mild symptoms, like slowness of thought, or concentration problems, that may not significantly impact daily life
Middle stage
More severe memory loss plus increased difficulty with cognitive tasks, planning, and self-care
Late stage
Severe cognitive decline, physical disabilities (frequent falls, loss of bladder control), and need for full-time care
Return
Next
What does vascular dementia feel like?
Gerda Saunders, a former atomic energy research scientist and math teacher who now writes about living with dementia, discusses vascular dementia.
Early symptoms
"I lost a lot of my mathematical capability — and I have a bachelor’s degree in mathematics. But ordinary things also happened that interrupted my daily life. For example, one Easter, we had the kids and grandkids come to our house. We usually have brunch and I had thought I’d made an Amish casserole the night before. It just had to be baked. The next morning, I set the table and when we sat down at the table, I realized I hadn’t baked this casserole."
Gerda SaundersAuthor, mathematician, teacher
HEAR HER STORY
Return
Next
Living with — and managing — vascular dementia
Lifestyle modifications
Medications
Strategies for maintaining independence
Therapies
Safety considerations
Return
Next
Another patient perspective
Being Patient interviewed Mark and Brenda Roberts about their journey following Mark's diagnosis of early-onset vascular dementia at the age of 62.
Early symptoms
"My job was to multitask. I couldn’t do that anymore... I couldn't remember phone numbers... I had it all on my memory, and that was just falling apart for me. Then, I would say, ‘We've got to remember to go do this,’ and they [would say], ‘We just talked about that, and that’s what we’re going to do.’"
Mark Roberts Diagnosed with early-onset vascular dementia
HEAR THEIR STORY
Return
Next
Want to keep learning?
Visit
beingpatient.com
for the latest news and information on brain health and Alzheimer's disease
Return
Simplifying tasks, establishing routines, and using memory aids can help individuals with vascular dementia maintain their independence.
Regular exercise, a healthy diet, and social engagement are essential for supporting brain health and slowing the progression of vascular dementia.
Implementing fall prevention measures, making home modifications, and providing supervision when needed are crucial for ensuring the safety of individuals with vascular dementia.
To manage symptoms and treat underlying cardiovascular issues, medications are prescribed and regularly monitored by healthcare professionals.
Cognitive rehabilitation, occupational therapy, and speech therapy are vital for improving cognitive function and daily living skills in individuals with vascular dementia.