Vascular Dementia: The Causes, Symptoms, And How One May Prevent This Condition

[LoShiNi]

Vascular dementia is the second most common cause of dementia among senior people. It is difficult to diagnose it; thus, many people even don’t suspect that this condition can be a cause of their memory problems.

What is vascular dementia?

If Alzheimer’s disease occurs when the brain cells break down, vascular dementia happens when the brain cells don’t get enough nutrients and oxygen through the blood. Unfortunately, one person may get both vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease at the same time. If a stoke blocks an artery in the brain, it can result in dementia, but not all strokes result in this condition. Vascular dementia may develop due to other disorders that come with blood vessels damage and problems with blood circulation.


Your chances of developing vascular dementia are closely linked to your risk of developing heart disease and stroke.

The signs of vascular dementia may vary depending on what part of the brain is affected. The most common symptoms are:
— confusion;
— trouble concentrating;
— inability to organize thoughts and actions;
— difficulty with decision-making;
— memory problems;
— agitation and restlessness;
— depression;
— unsteady gait.


And in general, the risk factors for vascular dementia are the same as those for stroke and heart disease.

They include:
— age: your risk rises as you get older, the condition is rare before age 65 and more common after this age;
— history of strokes and heart attacks;
— atherosclerosis;
— high cholesterol levels;
— high blood pressure;

— diabetes;
— obesity;
— atrial fibrillation;
— smoking.
As we could understand from the information above, the condition of brain’s blood vessels is connected to overall heart health. Here is what we can do to prevent vascular dementia and keep your heart healthy.

1. Monitor your blood pressure

Keeping a healthy blood pressure may help prevent Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia.

2. Maintain normal cholesterol levels

As it turns out, high cholesterol may contribute to plaque deposits building up in your vessels. That’s why it is crucial to have a proper diet and take cholesterol-lowering meds if necessary. Consult with your doctor for more information.

3. Keep your blood sugar levels in check

Preventing diabetes through healthy diet and exercise may lower your risk of developing vascular dementia. If you already diabetes, control your glucose levels to protect your vessels.

4. Don’t smoke

Smoking damage blood vessels, so quit if you haven’t yet done so.

5. Be physically active

Regular exercise is beneficial for your overall health. Moreover, physical activity may help you avoid vascular dementia.