What is Vascular Dementia?

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WHAT IS VASCULAR DEMENTIA?
Vascular dementia is a type of dementia linked to issues with blood flow to the brain. It ranks as the second most common type of dementia, occurring in about 15 to 30% of all dementia cases. In this episode, we explore its symptoms, risk factors, and the unique challenges it carries.
SYMPTOMS AND RISK FACTORS

Symptoms of vascular dementia can manifest suddenly or gradually over time. Individuals may experience cognitive problems, including poor memory, language difficulties (aphasia), coordination issues (apraxia), and problems recognizing things or people (agnosia). Unlike other dementias, vascular dementia often presents neurological symptoms like exaggerated reflexes, walking imbalance, and muscle weakness.

Risk factors include age, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking, gender, and race. Understanding these factors is crucial in managing and preventing this condition.

DIAGNOSIS

Diagnosing vascular dementia requires a comprehensive approach. Healthcare professionals conduct a thorough diagnostic, ruling out other potential causes for symptoms. This includes assessing medical history, medications, risk factors, cognitive screenings, and imaging tests like CT, MRI, and PET scans. Neuropsychological testing may also be employed for a detailed evaluation of cognitive function.

TREATMENT AND PROGNOSIS

While no specific drugs are FDA-approved for vascular dementia, medications used for Alzheimer's disease may provide some relief. The primary focus, however, lies in managing cardiovascular problems. Lifestyle changes, including controlling blood pressure, maintaining cholesterol levels, and a healthy weight, play a crucial role.

The prognosis for vascular dementia varies based on individual factors such as age, existing medical conditions, and the nature of cardiovascular issues. While there's no cure, the goal of treatment is to prevent further damage, manage symptoms, and provide support for both the affected individual and their caregivers.

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About Melissa B PhD

Melissa Batchelor, PhD, RN, FNP, FGSA, FAAN. I am a nurse, nurse practitioner, nurse Please visit my website at MelissaBPhD.com to learn more about me, how you can work with me directly, and/or support future episodes of the podcast. Within the first 18 months of launching this podcast, we reached a ranking of top 10% globally.

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#vasculardementia #alzheimers #caregiver

[jamespillow]

Thank you for presenting this information. I wish I'd heard this back in 2016 when my mother first showed signs of memory issues. After worsening memory, extreme rage episodes, and the loss of urinary and bowel control, her doctors finally concluded a diagnosis of dementia. They did not inform us of a specific type until stating vascular dementia on her death certificate in January 2023. The only dementia treatment she received was for her extreme rage at times. Covid-19 finally wore her down physically and she became bedridden in September 2024. I think our family could have provided her a better quality of life if we were better informed. Besides the drug risperidone to control her raging, hospice was the only true assistance she received. She stayed here at home, cared for by family, and died here with dignity. She was 80.

Liked and subscribed. I am now 65 and doing what I can life-style wise to reduce my chances of getting any form of this terrible disease. Thanks again.

[MelanieJaneDumajel]

My mama was diagnosed at 58 that she has a FTLD...now she's 61 it's so progressive she's getting mad day by day

[junemelton]

Thank you ! I am a retried nurse 20 years has really helped me and I am going blind.! All your information has help

[michaelgreenslade]

Thank you so much...my mother had that before she died at 92, I have similar symptoms as you mentioned...I am 73

[ThisIsMyYoutubeName]

My grandma had a vein in her neck collapse when she was in her early thirties. She was not expected to survive, but they put a stint in and she was able to walk out of the hospital 2 weeks later. In 2020 she had signs of dementia, doctors said that it would most likely be vascular. She had been living with only eating a boiled food diet since her 30’s. I noticed her repeating stories over and over in 2020. My grandpa passed in 2021, my aunt moved in, I was with her every day until the mid afternoon, my uncle would come until my aunt was home. She declined so rapidly and I was not sure how. But in 2 years, she went from the stories to not knowing who her parents, husband or children were. She had a fall and they did a MRI and confirmed that it was vascular. So many people have expressed that her decline was so severe and so fast that it was not really common for vascular. She passed away 3 months ago and it was very strange and I still don’t understand what happened. Her temperature dropped to 92, she was just waking up and had not ate anything and didn’t have diabetes, but her blood sugar was in the 300’s. No matter how many times I tried, and I tried with 3 different machines, it would not work for me to get a blood pressure reading. The blood oxygen test that you put on the finger wouldn’t even work. But it all worked fine on me. After I had her warmed up I was able to get her oxygen readings and it was 78. Right before the ambulance arrived I was able to get a blood pressure reading and it was 191/160. Paramedics were there 5 minutes later and her vitals were fine, but they were saying that she had a vagel response or something like that and she was fine. They said to give her a breathing treatment and that they see this often and it’s not a concern. 30 minutes later she had the same symptoms, I held her until her heart suddenly stopped. They ruled her death as cardiac arrest, but it doesn’t seem to explain why she had those symptoms and how long it lasted (from 7am and she was pronounced at 12pm). I don’t know if it’s related to the vascular dementia and went into cardiac arrest from the dementia taking the natural course and those are the systems of actively dying from it or if the mystery of events put her in cardiac arrest. I seen the peace in her while she was passing and it brings me peace knowing she was not alone and her last words were “you are the best one”. I still have a void of not knowing what happened in the hours leading up to her passing. So I am curious to see if you have any thoughts about this.

[jimjones]

I'm 80, I'm a truck driver, i run long haul. I've driven 50 years. I feel good when driving because its what i do! I cannot deal with many things i should do, so i escape to something i can do. Life in any other enviroment is difficult. I am also on HRT for the Disphoria that i have discovered. I also have been dealing with Depression sinse teen years. I have had 5 failed marriages . I am afraid, now, of dementia, at my age.i want to enjoy the time i have left, but, i have no idea what to do. I dont want anything.

[Dibrm]

Thank you for the very helpful video and wealth of information. I do think my mom has vascular dementia and would like to take her for evaluation. I also agree we, as a society need to get more things in place, as with insurance and simply availability of experts it is often quite difficult to get care in a timely manner. Also both my parents are very resistant to going to see med professionals and following through with recommendations.

[JonathanWirth-cusw]

Thank u this is right in dementia
Thank u doctor
I love my work and helping the hospital ❤️🌻🐱

[MichaelSheridanV]

Thank you. I'm 58 and my brain looks like a 95 year old dementia patient. I also have a very rare genetic disease called Schwartz Jampel. Dr.'s do not know if this is related. In 2018 I had moderate white matter lesions. Now it is severe. I got healthy. Lowered my BP. Lost a lot of weight. My Dr said there is nothing more I can do. But today I forgot what year this was.

[jeanphilpot]

My husband had a hemorrhagic stroke 8 years ago and in the last month diagnosed with vascular dementia. It’s hard to know what symptoms are from the stroke or how long he’s had vascular dementia.

[sandramckaig]

I have finally got some answers I need concerning a dear friend of 35 yrs who I suspected had vascular dementia because he was found in a diabetic coma back in Sept 2014....he was out 5 days and during that time had a brain MRI which showed areas not getting proper circulation....he also has A-fib and neuropathy up to his knees....he is very weak in the legs and slow doing everything....thanks for your video clip

[mandiphillips]

Do you have a video regarding managing the negative behaviors of vascular dementia?

[meandcadasil]

There is rare genetic cause of vascular dementia, viz, Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL).

Nice video.

[judydamelio]

That’s what my Mom had Then she fell had a brain bleed Down hill from there😢

[Irene]

My husband is 82 he has V.dementia. He never hungry but I always put food in front of him if he picks at it but never finishes. No car anymore?? Does not exercise, Tv addict. Memory is mild. I stress kindly that he has to eat, be a little responsible for himself, but he doesn’t care. It’s hard, one day at a time. I’m 80
Just saying !!

[MsItalianspice]

I was diagnosed with psp by a neuro thru a scan which he had me take at the hospital he worked at. was in denial that i had psp. he saw the hummimg bird. never went for a second opinion...tke ..big mistake now my kids believe him. I am67 dont drive, have to reley on my daughter. I do have a stiff neck hurts in the morning . take a cold compress. have tinnitus. i dont have the tremors they talk about in pd. and dizzy 24/7 for the past 3 years not getting any better

[susanwilliams]

We live in South Africa. My biological father has vascular dementia. He is treated by a psychiatrist of good repute. Neuro imaging has been done however we have not seen the imaging as there are very few psychiatrists neurologists in RSA, so appointments are very few and very pricey. I have a psychiatric psychology background. My father is on dorminoct memor and an antipsychotic. Your response would be greatly appreciated. Sue from South Africa

[lucycox]

You are the only person that talked a little about my experience balance falling anxiety those are. The worst thing for me I had a MRI she only said I have 2 kinds of dementia. I go to see her September 27 but do you have any points for my falling no balance

[kimberlysmith]

Could a stroke in the right pon only cause dementia? Would previous strokes show on a brain scan following a pon stroke?

[MsItalianspice]

i also had an operation for scolioses in 1972.my spine was 60 degress curved. and so they fused 2 rods to my spine