When families first come to us, they often express confusion about how dementia can exist alongside what otherwise seems like “good health.” As Luciana Mitzkun, explains: “While some dementia cases are caused by a single disease like Alzheimer’s, most involve mixed conditions—with vascular disease often playing a central role.”
That perspective highlights a critical truth: dementia is rarely an isolated issue. Underlying vascular conditions, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or stroke history, often accelerate cognitive decline and complicate care planning.
Why Vascular Health Matters
Research shows that poor vascular health doesn’t just increase the risk of vascular dementia- it can worsen other types of dementia, including Alzheimer’s. The American Heart Association notes that atrial fibrillation raises dementia risk by nearly 40%, and coronary heart disease increases risk by over 25%. In fact, many of the same risk factors for heart disease, like smoking, high cholesterol, diabetes, obesity, and lack of exercise, can also increase the likelihood of dementia.
How Vascular Disease Contributes to Dementia
The human brain makes up only 2% of body weight but consumes about 20% of the body’s oxygen supply. That means even minor interruptions in blood flow can cause long-term damage. Vascular issues that directly affect dementia include:
- Strokes: Both major strokes and multiple small, silent strokes (TIAs) can kill brain cells and lead to cognitive decline.
- Small Vessel Disease: Chronic high blood pressure can damage deep blood vessels, leading to white matter changes and communication breakdown between brain regions.
- Atherosclerosis: Plaque buildup narrows arteries, reducing blood supply and starving brain cells of oxygen and nutrients.
- Brain Hemorrhage: Ruptured vessels cause bleeding in the brain, leading to tissue damage.
Often, vascular disease doesn’t exist alone, rather it mixes with other dementias like Alzheimer’s or Lewy Body, making symptoms more complex and accelerating decline.
What Families Can Do
- Focus on prevention and monitoring. Controlling blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar can help slow progression.
- Encourage healthy daily routines. Moderate exercise, balanced nutrition, and reduced alcohol use improve both brain and heart health.
- Prioritize social and mental activity. Cognitive stimulation and social engagement build resilience against decline.
- Plan care with medical realities in mind. Vascular complications often lead to faster changes in health, so care plans should be flexible and regularly updated.
Dementia is not just about memory loss. It is often the visible sign of years of underlying vascular issues. Addressing vascular health, even after diagnosis, can make a meaningful difference in quality of life, safety, and overall well-being.
Who We Are
At Assisted Living Connections, we guide families through the overwhelming process of senior care planning. We provide free, personalized support every step of the way. Call us today at (888) 880-1811 to speak with a care specialist and learn how we can help your family.
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