Vascular Dementia

Vascular dementia is a form of dementia caused by poor blood flow to the brain. As a result, the brain cells are deprived of the necessary nutrients and oxygen they need to function normally and eventually die resulting in the clinical symptoms.

Vascular dementia can result from any number of conditions that typically narrow the blood vessels, including atherosclerosis, stroke, diabetes and hypertension.

Vascular dementia has a sudden onset and a stepwise progression, typically with abrupt changes in cognitive ability.  

The cognitive profile of vascular dementia is highly variable depending on the location of the stroke.  After a stroke, the risk of dementia doubles.  Controlling hypertension, weight, diabetes and heart disease are vitally important to helping prevent vascular dementia.