5 facts you should know about vascular dementia

February is Heart Month, a time when we all tend to think a little more about our cardiovascular health. But as we focus on blood pressure and cholesterol, it’s important to remember that our heart health can also directly affect the health of our brain. 

One example of this connection is vascular dementia. Unlike other forms of dementia, this condition is directly tied to the health of our blood vessels. When the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the brain is interrupted, it can change how a person thinks, speaks, and experiences the world.

If you or a loved one are navigating this journey, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed or uncertain about the road ahead. You aren’t alone, and understanding the “why” behind the symptoms can be a helpful first step towards living well with the condition.

In this blog, we’re looking at five facts you should know about vascular dementia, from the different types of the condition, to the early signs and symptoms. 

What is vascular dementia?

Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease. Caused by damage to the blood vessels in the brain, vascular dementia is often the result of a stroke or transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs), also known as “mini-strokes”. It can also result from other conditions that affect the supply of blood to the brain, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes. 

1. There are several types of vascular dementia

According to the Alzheimer’s Society, there are several different types of vascular dementia, all with different causes. The most common is subcortical vascular dementia, while other types are caused by stroke or TIAs. 

Subcortical vascular dementia

This form of vascular dementia is caused by disease within small blood vessels deep in the brain (often referred to as small vessel disease). 

Stroke-related dementia

Vascular dementia can be caused by a stroke, which is when the blood supply to a part of the brain is suddenly cut off. 

Multi-infarct dementia

Multi-infarct dementia is caused by a series of smaller strokes, including transient ischaemic attacks (TIAs). A TIA is similar to a stroke, but symptoms tend to last a short time and usually resolve by themselves.

2. It is possible to have more than one type of dementia

According to the British Heart Foundation, it is possible to have more than one type of dementia at the same time. Some people with vascular dementia also have another type of dementia too, with Alzheimer’s disease being the most common. This is known as ‘mixed dementia’, and affects older age groups the most.

3. Early signs and symptoms can go unnoticed

As symptoms can start either suddenly or very gradually, it’s important to look out for early signs of vascular dementia. These can include:  

• Difficulty with planning
• Slower thoughts
• Trouble with understanding
• Difficulty concentrating
• Changes to mood and behaviour
• Problems with memory and language

At the beginning, signs of vascular dementia can be barely noticeable, and may be mistaken for something else, such as depression. According to the NHS website, if a loved one is showing early signs of vascular dementia, it’s important to seek medical advice as intervention can help prevent further brain damage.

4. You can manage risk factors for vascular dementia

Many of the factors that increase your risk of stroke and other circulatory diseases, also increase your risk of developing vascular dementia. If you have had a stroke previously, or have an untreated heart condition known as atrial fibrillation (AF), your risk is also considered higher. 

These risk factors can include:

• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol levels
• Poorly controlled diabetes
• Smoking 
• Unhealthy eating habits
• Decreased physical exercise
• Being overweight or obese
• High alcohol consumption

By controlling your risk factors for stroke and other heart conditions, you can help reduce your risk of vascular dementia. You can find out more about controlling risk factors from the British Heart Foundation. 

5. Vascular dementia affects around 180,000 people in the UK

For every five people in the UK with dementia, one will have vascular dementia. 

There are several organisations in the UK that are actively researching vascular dementia. These include the British Heart Foundation, which established the dedicated BHF-UK DRI Centre for Vascular Dementia Research, and the UK Dementia Research Institute (DRI). Other major organisations include the Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK, and the Stroke Association. 

Learn more about cardiovascular health this heart month

Vascular dementia can often be misunderstood, as its early symptoms are difficult to spot, and it can present alongside other forms of dementia. It’s important to learn more about the condition, so that you can look out for the signs in yourself or a loved one. 

This Heart Month, we’re exploring different facets of our cardiovascular health. From creating a heart healthy diet, to exploring the relationship between connection and heart disease. 

If you’d like to learn more about Heart Month, you can visit the British Heart Foundation website.