Vascular Dementia

Key Takeaways About Vascular Dementia:

Vascular Dementia is becoming more commonly known as Vascular Cognitive Impairment (VCI) as studies are conducted on the condition.
Vascular Dementia is caused by the brain cell death occurring during strokes, Small Vessel Disease, or a series of mini strokes.
The symptoms, impacts, and severity of Vascular Dementia is greatly dependent on what part of the brain the vascular event affected and how great the blood vessel damage was.

Vascular Dementia is a type of dementia that addresses specific cognitive changes due to a lack of blood flow in or to the brain. It is often found alongside other types of dementia, most commonly Alzheimer’s Disease and Lewy Body Dementia. Only about 5-10% of people with dementia have Vascular Dementia alone (Vascular Dementia, Alzheimer’s Association). However, it is still one of the most common forms of dementia.

“John and his team are dedicated to provide exceptional senior care for the older population of Louisville and the surrounding areas. What makes the amazing is their dedication to provide specialized dementia care services for seniors living with dementia. As we all know, dementia is a difficult disease process that is not only hard on the individual but family members as well. John and Premier Caregiver Service provide a level of care and peace of mind for families who are struggling balancing their daily-life obligations while also caring for, and constantly worrying about their parents who have this disease. I recommend them for providing dementia care at home, so your parent(s) can age-in-place safely, gracefully and with the care they deserve.”

―Ryan

Dementia Home Care Near Me, Louisville Caregiving Agency, Premier Caregiving

What are the Symptoms of Vascular Dementia?

Symptoms of Vascular Dementia can align with post-stroke symptoms if a stroke was the main developing factor, but also deviates to resemble Alzheimer’s Dementia symptoms as well. It is because of this that Vascular Dementia can remain undiagnosed if it is part of a mixed dementia case.

Symptoms will also vary depending on what part of the brain was most affected by blood loss, which can dictate which of the three types of Vascular Dementia develop (Vascular Dementia, Alzheimer’s Society).

Common symptoms include:

Difficulties planning, organizing, making decisions, or solving problems
Having a hard time following series of steps or instructions
Slower speed of thought
Concentration issues and sudden confusion
Memory and language deterioration, including reading and writing
Sudden headaches
Mobility issues, such as difficulty walking, poor balance, and loss of body control
Incontinence
Numbness or paralysis – usually on one side of the body
Difficulty performing daily or familiar tasks
Changes in sleep patterns
Personality, behavior, and mood shifts, including depression, agitation, and anger
Hallucinations
Poor judgment and loss of ability to perceive danger

The Three Types of Vascular Dementia

Subcortical Vascular Dementia

This type of Vascular Dementia is not caused by a stroke, but instead by Small Vessel Disease. Tiny blood vessels in the brain develop thick walls and kinks so that blood cannot pass through normally. This happens over time and most often affects the subcortex of the brain, which plays a big part in how the different areas of the brain process information together as well as in expressing and controlling emotions. Common symptoms include:

Mood swings
Confusion
Slow speed of thought
Emotional dysregulation
Incontinence
Personality shifts
Mobility issues
Lack of facial expression
Difficulty pronouncing words

Stroke-Related Dementia

Vascular Dementia can be caused by having a stroke, though it is important to note that not everyone who has a stroke will develop Vascular Dementia. It is normal for people who have strokes to have difficulty thinking, speaking, or moving after having a stroke. The difference is that stroke-related dementia is a progressive disease, meaning symptoms get worse over time instead of improving. Symptoms for stroke-related dementia will vary depending on which part of the brain the stroke affected the most.

Multi-Infarct Dementia

Multi-infarct dementia is the term used for someone who experiences a series of mini strokes or transient ischaemic attacks (TIA) (Vascular Dementia, Alzheimer’s Society). These can be so minor that they go undetected, and most symptoms improve on their own. However, even though the blood vessels that are blocked clear themselves, the amount of time that the brain was deprived of blood still presents a risk. Permanent damage can then result from multiple small strokes over time. The most common symptoms are:

Memory loss
Difficulty thinking
Difficulty reasoning and poor judgement

How Common is Vascular Dementia?

Vascular Dementia is the second most common form of dementia, accounting for about 17-30% of all cases (Vascular Dementia, Alzheimer’s Disease International). However, because only approximately 5-10% of individuals with dementia develop Vascular Dementia on its own, it is often diagnosed instead as Mixed Dementia.

What Causes Vascular Dementia?

Unlike some other forms of dementia, Vascular Dementia can be attributed to a specific cause: a lack of blood in the brain and the subsequent brain cell death. Vascular health is very important to preventing strokes, TIAs, and Small Vessel Disease. While perfectly healthy people can have a stroke, it is much more likely for the disease to develop in individuals with high risk factors.

Factors that Increase the Risk of Developing Alzheimer’s Disease

1. Cardiovascular Conditions

Cardiovascular conditions like high blood pressure, heart disease, cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA), high cholesterol, and atrial fibrillation are all at a higher risk of forming clots that lead to strokes. About 1 in 5 people who experience a stroke will develop Vascular Dementia (Vascular Dementia, Alzheimer’s Society).

2. Other Health Conditions

Other health conditions can also affect risk of Vascular Dementia like sleep apnea, which causes people to temporary stop breathing in their sleep and deprives the brain of oxygen, or diabetes, where excess blood glucose can accumulate as fatty deposits and increase the risk of blood clots.

3. Lifestyle Factors

Lifestyle factors are an important part of health in general. When it comes to Vascular Dementia, overall health also plays a part. You can reduce your risk of strokes, health conditions that contribute to strokes, and Vascular Dementia by maintaining brain, body, and heart health (What Causes Alzheimer’s Disease?, National Institute of Aging). You might be increasing your risk with factors such as:

Physical inactivity
Obesity or an unhealthy diet
Heavy alcohol use
Smoking
Poor sleep habits

Frequently Asked Questions About Vascular Dementia

What is vascular dementia?

Vascular dementia is cognitive decline caused by reduced blood flow to the brain. This can happen after a stroke, from many small “silent” strokes, or from damage to the small blood vessels deep in the brain. It is the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease, and the two often occur together (called mixed dementia).

What are the symptoms of Vascular Dementia?

Symptoms depend on which part of the brain is affected. Common ones include slowed thinking, trouble with planning, organizing, and making decisions, difficulty concentrating, and memory problems (though early memory loss is often milder than in Alzheimer’s). Mood changes such as depression, apathy, or irritability are common, and some people develop walking difficulties, balance problems, or urinary urgency. Onset can be sudden after a stroke or gradual, and decline sometimes occurs in “steps” rather than a smooth slope.

What causes Vascular Dementia and who is at risk?

How is Vascular Dementia diagnosed?

Can Vascular Disease be treated or prevented?

The brain damage itself can’t be reversed, but progression can often be slowed by controlling the underlying risks: managing blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol, taking prescribed antiplatelet or anticoagulant medication, quitting smoking, exercising, and eating a heart-healthy diet. Medications used for Alzheimer’s (like cholinesterase inhibitors) are sometimes tried for symptoms but have modest benefit. Occupational therapy, physical therapy, and support for caregivers are also important parts of care.

Professional At-Home Alzheimer’s Disease Care in Louisville, KY

Dementia, Premier Caregiver Services is a leader in professional, at-home dementia care. Our philosophy revolves around unique care plans tailored to your loved one for the best quality of life they can have with any condition—in any place they might be— with our services:

It can be frustrating for our loved ones with dementia to lose their independence, but Premier Caregiver Services allows them to keep as much autonomy, dignity, and choice as possible in the home they love best. By choosing a caregiving service that is invested in and passionate about your senior’s health, satisfaction, and quality of life, we can make the promise that they will be in the best hands. We’ll provide whatever services are necessary to walk alongside your loved one and help them adjust to their condition at each and every stage for as long as we can.

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