Vascular Dementia Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore, Plus Simple Ways to Lower Your Risk
This type of dementia typically develops after a stroke
Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type of dementia, but following closely behind (affecting an estimated 5 to 10 percent of people with dementia) is a particular type that stems from cardiovascular damage. Here, experts share everything you should know about vascular dementia symptoms and how to mitigate risk factors.
What is vascular dementia?
Vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) refers to a spectrum of cognitive dysfunction due to disease of the blood vessels in the brain. Vascular dementia is the most severe result, explains Abbie Chapman, PhD, assistant professor at Binghamton University, State University of New York.
“The majority of VCI is a result of cerebral ischemic stroke, which is when blood flow to the brain is blocked, resulting in brain damage,” she says. “VCI develops over time after the stroke. Depending on several factors, including stroke severity, recurrent stroke, pre-stroke functioning, etc., VCI can remain stable or progress and worsen over time.”
Woman's World Answers
Vascular dementia can develop due to a large stroke, several small strokes or (rarely) one or a few small strokes in critical parts of the brain, adds Jason Krellman, PhD, ABPP-CN, neurologist and Associate Professor of Neuropsychology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center.
While most other forms of dementia develop because of protein abnormalities in the brain and follow a very specific course, vascular dementia varies more in terms of age of onset, speed of progression and pattern of symptoms, says Krellman.
Vascular dementia symptoms to watch for
The cognitive signs of VCI can vary between individuals, but some of the most common symptoms include:
- Difficulties in processing speed, executive function (planning, decision making, judgement, attention) and memory function.
- Slowed thinking and movement
- Changes in mood, such as depression
- Behavioral changes, such as impulsivity or inappropriate behavior
“If VCI occurs after a stroke, the location of the brain damage can predict the type of deficit the stroke survivor may experience,” says Chapman. “However, and for reasons we are still working to understand, memory is often disrupted after ischemic stroke even when the stroke does not occur in brain regions involved in memory function.”
How to reduce your vascular dementia risk
“As with other forms of dementia, age is the primary driving risk factor for vascular dementia, which we cannot combat,” says Chapman. “However, there are several modifiable risk factors that we can work to mitigate to prevent or slow vascular-related cognitive decline.”
Manage underlying health conditions
The primary modifiable risk factor for VCI is chronic hypertension (persistently high blood pressure), says Chapman. Chronic hypertension is not only a leading risk for ischemic stroke and subsequent VCI, but it is also known to cause disease of brain blood vessels and disrupt memory and cognitive function even in the absence of stroke, she explains.
“High blood pressure in your 30s and 40s has the greatest negative impact on brain blood vessels rather than new onset of hypertension in those 65 and older,” adds Chapman. ”Monitoring and understanding the importance of blood pressure management in mid-life has the most potential to protect from VCI later in life.”
There are plenty of blood pressure medications to help bring your number into a healthy range. Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) such as losartan and ACE inhibitors such as captopril have been shown to reduce the risk of VCI, Chapman says.
However, there are little-to-no symptoms of chronic hypertension, so many people do not know that they have it, she notes. This is why staying abreast of your blood pressure numbers is crucial. (See the sneaky symptoms of high blood pressure in women here.)
Other chronic health issues that increase the risk of stroke and subsequent cognitive decline include diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), impaired lung function, thyroid disease, anemia, blood disorders, dehydration, low blood pressure, heart disease and surgeries, says Adel Aziz, MD, FAAN, neurologist, John F. Kennedy University Medical Center.
Adopt healthy lifestyle habits
Maintaining a healthy diet, like the Mediterranean and MIND eating plans that are rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains, support brain health, offers Dr. Aziz. And engaging in regular physical activity improves blood flow to the brain and supports overall cognitive function, he notes.
It’s important to avoid smoking and limit alcohol intake, as these substances can exacerbate vascular and cognitive health issues, cautions Dr. Aziz. He also suggests maintaining social connections and mental stimulation by engaging in social activities and cognitive exercises to preserve brain function.
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