Vascular dementia
Learn more about vascular dementia, its causes, symptoms, stages, and how to live well with vascular dementia after a diagnosis.
What is vascular dementia?
Vascular dementia is a type of dementia caused by problems in the blood supply to the brain. It occurs when blood flow to parts of the brain is reduced or blocked, depriving brain cells of oxygen and nutrients. This damage to brain tissue can result in difficulties with thinking, reasoning, memory, and other cognitive functions. Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease.
There are different types of vascular dementia, which vary depending on the underlying causes and the pattern of brain damage. The main types include:
• Multi-infarct dementia (MID),
• Single-infarct dementia
• Subcortical vascular dementia
• Post-stroke dementia.
Vascular dementia can occur in conjunction with other types of dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease leading to what’s known as ‘mixed dementia’.
Click the button below to download our vascualr dementia information sheet, or keep reading this page to learn more.
Causes of vascular dementia
Vascular dementia is caused by medical conditions or events that affect blood flow to the brain. Strokes are a common cause of vascular dementia but any conditions that narrow or block blood vessels in the brain are a potential cause, these include:
- Stoke (Ischemic or Hemorrhagic)
- Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) – some people refer to this as a “mini-stroke”
- Small Vessel Disease (SVD)
- Coronary heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
We know that conditions that affect blood flow to the brain can also cause vascular dementia, these are some of the risk factors:
- High cholesterol
- Smoking
- Physical inactivity
- Atherosclerosis (fatty deposits in the arteries)
Vascular dementia is not typically a hereditary condition. However, genetics can play a role in increasing the risk for conditions that contribute to vascular dementia, like high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol.
Rare genetic disorders such as CADASIL (Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy) also cause damage to blood vessels in the brain, leading to vascular dementia.
Symptoms and stages of vascular dementia
Like most forms of dementia, symptoms of vascular dementia will vary depending on the person and the parts of the brain affected by reduced blood flow. That said, there are some common early signs. These include:
- Problems with attention and concentration
- Becoming easily distracted
- Difficulty with problem-solving and decision-making
- Becoming overwhelmed by choices
- Memory problems
- Mood changes or personality shifts
- Confusion and disorientation
- Difficulty with language and communication
- Changes in gait or balance
The progression of vascular dementia tends to be less gradual than other types of dementia. Periods of stability can be altered by a vascular event, such as a mini-stroke or silent stroke, resulting in more sudden and pronounced changes in cognitive function.
Diagnosing vascular dementia
If you think you have symptoms of vascular dementia your GP can evaluate and assess this and refer you to a specialist if further tests are needed.
Typically diagnosing vascular dementia involves:
- An assessment of symptoms,
- Establishing a comprehensive medical history
- Cognitive tests to assess memory, problem-solving, and language abilities
A vascular dementia brain scan may also be undertaken. An MRI scan is often the preferred imaging test for diagnosing vascular dementia. It provides detailed images of the brain and can show areas of stroke, small vessel disease, and white matter changes associated with vascular damage. A CT scan can also be used as an alternative to MRI when diagnosing vascular dementia.
Also, since vascular dementia shares symptoms with other types of dementia, it’s important for healthcare providers to identify the specific cause of cognitive decline by examining vascular issues, such as strokes or other conditions affecting blood flow to the brain.
Early diagnosis of vascular dementia allows for better management of underlying conditions, which can help slow progression and improve quality of life.
Living with vascular dementia
Currently, there is no cure for vascular dementia, however with the right strategies, care, and support, you can maintain a good quality of life and even slow the progression of symptoms.
Controlling underlying conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease that contribute to vascular dementia can help prevent further damage to blood vessels in the brain. This can include modifications to diet and exercise routines and taking actions, such as stopping smoking, limiting alcohol consumption and getting enough sleep.
If you are living with vascular dementia, you can help your symptoms by staying socially active, maintaining a routine and structure, and creating a safe and supportive environment at home. This will also help you maintain your independence for as long as possible.
Alzheimer Scotland can also help through our 24 hour Freephone Dementia Helpline, Brain Health & Dementia Resource Centres, our Dementia Advisors and our Post Diagnostic Support Link Workers.
Medication for vascular dementia
Doctors may recommend medicines to manage blood pressure, cholesterol levels, or blood sugar, as well as anticoagulants to reduce the risk of blood clots. This can range from over-the-counter medicine such as aspirin to specific prescribed medication.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between dementia and vascular dementia?
Dementia is an umbrella term for a wide range of progressive brain conditions. Vascular dementia is a common type caused by reduced blood flow to the brain.
What is the difference between vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease?
Vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease are both types of dementia that can present similar symptoms around memory and cognition.
The main difference is how they are caused with vascular dementia resulting from restricted blood flow to the brain and Alzheimer’s resulting from a buildup of proteins in the brain that form damaging plaques.
What part of the brain does vascular dementia affect?
Vascular dementia will affect whichever part of the brain that experiences restricted blood flow. This is why there are different types including: Multi-infarct dementia (MID), Single-infarct dementia, Subcortical vascular dementia and Post-stroke dementia.
Does vascular dementia cause seizures?
A person living with vascular dementia does have a higher risk of seizures than a person without. However, this is not something everyone with vascular dementia will experience and there are anti-seizure medicines that can help.
How long can you live with vascular dementia?
As with any form of dementia, the amount of time someone can live with vascular dementia will vary from person-to-person. On average, people with vascular dementia live for around five years after symptoms begin but this is more to do with risks surrounding the causes of the condition such as heart disease or stroke
Can you reverse vascular dementia?
There is currently no cure for vascular dementia and any physical damage it causes cannot be reversed. However, the right mixture of treatment and support can help slow its progression and allow the person to live well with dementia for as long as possible.
Our community and support
Alzheimer Scotland offers support services and therapeutic activities all across the country. Find out how we support people living with dementia and their families and carers in the local community.