Symptoms of Vascular Dementia

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While most of us are familiar with Alzheimer’s disease, there are other less common forms of dementia including vascular dementia. Vascular dementia is a general term describing problems with reasoning, planning, judgment, memory and other thought processes. It is often caused by brain damage from impaired blood flow to the brain which can happen during a stroke, but thankfully it depends on the location and severity of the stroke damage. Other conditions that can harm blood vessels, reduce circulation, and deprive the brain of oxygen and nutrients include a brain hemorrhage, abnormal aging of blood vessels (atherosclerosis) and diabetes. 

The Mayo Clinic explains vascular dementia can imitate many of the symptoms of Alzheimer’s but a difference in vascular cases is a greater loss in the speed of organizing thoughts and problem-solving rather than actual memory loss. The condition can come on suddenly such as after an event like a stroke or as a more gradual decline. Researchers also have found many people with telltale signs of brain vascular disease also have Alzheimer’s disease.  

Symptoms of vascular disease include: 

  • Confusion

  • Trouble paying attention and concentrating

  • Reduced ability to organize thoughts or actions

  • Decline in ability to analyze a situation, develop an effective plan and communicate that plan to others

  • Slowed thinking

  • Difficulty with organization

  • Difficulty deciding what to do next

  • Problems with memory

  • Restlessness, agitation and depression

  • Unsteady gait 

The condition is rare in those under 65 and increases significantly in those over 90 years of age. To mitigate your risk, doctors say maintain a healthy blood pressure, keep weight and cholesterol in check and prevent or manage diabetes. If you smoke, quit; and engage in regular physical activity. A healthy low-fat diet also is a factor in preventing heart disease and strokes, which in turn helps prevent vascular dementia. 

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