Vascular Dementia – Diagnosis and Treatment

ByJanis Updated

Diagnosis

Laboratory Evaluations

Doctors often check the health of a person’s heart and blood vessels with different lab assessments. Some of the main checks include:

  • Measuring Blood Pressure: High blood pressure is a big risk for blood vessel problems and stroke.
  • Testing Cholesterol Levels: High cholesterol can harm blood vessels in the brain.
  • Monitoring Blood Sugar: Diabetes can hurt blood flow and add to memory problems.

Doctors also use extra blood tests to check for health issues that might look like dementia, such as thyroid problems and vitamin shortages.

These tests help doctors rule out other diseases before diagnosing problems related to blood flow in the brain.

Nerve and Brain Function Checks

Doctors check the nervous system to see how well the brain and body are working together. They may test:

  • Reflexes to see if signals move the right way.
  • Muscle strength on each side of the body, since strokes can make one side weaker.
  • Coordination and balance by having the person stand or walk.
  • Senses like touch and vision.

These checks reveal signs of past stroke, brain injury, or blood vessel issues in the brain. Changes in movement or sensation can point to problems in specific brain areas affected by reduced blood supply.

Brain Scans and Pictures

Health professionals use special imaging tools to see what’s happening inside the brain:

Imaging Test What It Shows Why It’s Used
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Detailed pictures of brain tissue and vessels. Best for showing strokes and vessel damage.
Computed Tomography (CT) Scan Slices of the brain and showing its structure changes/ Good for finding shrinkage, bleeding, or tumors.
  • MRI scans provide a close-up view of blood vessels and past strokes. Doctors usually choose MRI first to spot the types of changes seen in vascular dementia.
  • CT scans help spot strokes, areas with less blood flow, or damage from a head injury.

Both tests are painless. MRIs can be noisy and sometimes feel tight, while CT scans use a small amount of radiation.

Cognitive and Thinking Skill Checks

Doctors use neuropsychological tests to measure how well someone’s mind is working. These tests show if a person has trouble with:

  • Speech and understanding words
  • Math and handling numbers
  • Memory and learning new things
  • Planning and problem-solving

People with vascular dementia may especially struggle with solving problems or planning tasks.

They might not have as much trouble remembering things as people with Alzheimer’s disease. Sometimes, blood vessel problems harm areas tied to memory, so memory loss may also occur.

Similarities Between Vascular and Alzheimer’s Types

Symptoms and test results do not always fit exactly into one disease. Many older adults show brain changes from both vascular disease and Alzheimer’s at the same time. This mix of problems is called mixed dementia.

Someone diagnosed with vascular dementia may also have Alzheimer’s features in their brain, even if the symptoms look more like one disease than the other.

This overlap makes diagnosis more complex, and symptoms can change as the diseases progress.

Note: Mixed cases may have symptoms such as:

  • Memory problems
  • Trouble solving everyday tasks
  • Personality and mood changes

Treatment

Doctors manage vascular dementia by taking steps to control health problems that can harm blood vessels in the brain.

Common treatments include medicines that lower blood pressure, reduce cholesterol, prevent blood clots, or keep blood sugar levels steady in people with diabetes.

Doctors may also suggest changes in diet and exercise. Medications such as cholinesterase inhibitors may help in some cases.

Ways to Take Care of Yourself

Self-care is important for people with vascular dementia. Staying active by walking, swimming, or other gentle exercises can help. A diet full of fruits and vegetables is encouraged, and keeping a healthy weight is helpful.

Social activities, brain games, and trying new hobbies support mental health. Limiting alcohol is also recommended. These habits may improve everyday life, though they do not cure the condition.

Ways to Manage and Support

Helping a Loved One Living With Dementia

Supporting someone with dementia involves patience, understanding, and planning. People often feel a wide range of emotions, such as sadness, worry, and confusion, but a few steps can make everyday life smoother.

  • Finding Support: Local organizations and health services provide help. These resources connect families with support groups, counseling, and information about care programs. Joining a support group offers a place to share concerns and get advice from others with similar experiences.

  • Planning for What’s Ahead: Early planning is helpful for everyone. Legal documents such as power of attorney and health care directives are important to arrange in advance. Starting these conversations early allows individuals to express their wishes and make decisions while they are able.

  • Offering Encouragement and Respect: Listening and providing reassurance help the person continue to enjoy life. Showing respect and maintaining their sense of dignity is important.

  • Staying Calm and Consistent: Keeping the home calm and following daily routines can lower confusion or agitation. Use clear, simple instructions and repeat information if needed.

  • Enjoying Activities Together: Shared activities, like short walks, listening to music, or simple arts and crafts, help maintain social connections and give daily structure. Focus on what the person can do, rather than what they have lost.

  • Allowing Independence When Safe: Let loved ones do what they safely can, such as helping with small chores. Regularly review abilities together with a doctor, especially for activities like driving.

Looking After the Person Giving Care

Caring for someone with dementia can be challenging. Caregivers need to remember to care for themselves in order to continue supporting others.

  • Learning and Asking Questions: Understanding dementia helps caregivers respond better to changes and challenges. Doctors, librarians, and trusted websites are good places for information.

  • Reaching Out for Help: Friends and family can assist with errands or provide time for breaks. It is important to ask for help before feeling overwhelmed.

  • Taking Regular Breaks: Short breaks every day, whether for a walk or a quiet moment, help reduce stress. Respite care and adult daycare programs also offer longer rest periods.

  • Focusing on Health: Caregivers should keep up with their own doctor visits, eat balanced meals, and exercise. They should avoid skipping their own needs because of caregiving responsibilities.

  • Staying Connected: Spending time with friends or joining a support group can help caregivers feel less isolated. Sharing experiences can provide new ideas and emotional support.

Getting Ready for Your Medical Visit

How You Can Prepare

Taking a few steps before your appointment helps the visit go smoothly and ensures you cover everything that matters. To get the most out of your time with the doctor, try the following tips:

  • Check for Special Instructions: When scheduling the appointment, ask if you need to avoid eating or drinking because of any blood tests or procedures.

  • Keep a Symptom Record: Write down any memory changes or thinking problems. Include when you first noticed them and examples, like trouble remembering appointments, missing bill payments, or changes in judgment.

  • Bring Support: If possible, have a family member or friend come with you. They can help describe any changes they have noticed and help remember what the doctor says during the visit.

  • List Medical Issues: Make a list of health problems you already have. Common concerns include high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. Note if you have ever been treated for these in the past.

  • List All Medications: Write down every prescription, over-the-counter drug, vitamin, or supplement you take. Bring the list with you.

  • Write Down Questions: Before your appointment, write out what you want to ask the doctor. Common questions include:
    • Do you think I have memory loss?
    • Are my symptoms from blood flow problems in the brain?
    • What kinds of tests will I need?
    • Who will handle my care moving forward?
    • What treatments can help?
    • Can I do anything to slow down the changes?
    • Should I join a clinical trial?
    • What changes should I expect with time?
    • Will my symptoms affect my other health issues?
    • Are there printed resources you recommend?
    • What websites or groups can help?

Bring your notes with you so you don’t forget anything important.

Tip: If anything is unclear during your visit, ask the doctor to slow down or repeat the information. Understanding your health is important.

Questions and Steps Your Doctor May Take

Doctors often ask specific questions to help figure out what is happening. Being ready to answer can help move things along faster and make the appointment more helpful.

A doctor may ask:

  • What thinking or memory issues are you having?
  • When did you first notice them?
  • Have your symptoms slowly gotten worse or changed suddenly?
  • Do you have “good days” and “bad days,” or are problems steady?
  • Has anyone close to you, like a family member, shared concerns about your memory or mood?
  • Have you struggled with usual tasks, hobbies, or routines?
  • Are you feeling more sad or worried than before?
  • Have you gotten lost in a place or on a route you know well?
  • Have you noticed acting differently with people, or responding differently in situations?
  • Any changes in how much energy you have?
  • Are you being treated now (or were you ever treated) for conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, heart problems, or stroke?
  • What medications, vitamins, and supplements do you take?
  • Do you use alcohol or smoke? How much?
  • Are you experiencing trembling, walking problems, or falls?
  • Are you forgetting appointments or not taking medicine at the right times?
  • Have you had your hearing or vision checked recently?
  • Is there a family history of dementia, memory problems, or Alzheimer’s disease?

Helpful Tip: If your doctor requests tests, ask about what you need to do to prepare, such as fasting.

Getting Prepared Checklist

Task Done?
Call to ask about preparation  
List all current symptoms  
Ask someone to come with you  
Write out all medical conditions  
Gather medications and supplements  
Write down questions for the doctor  

Make a copy of this checklist for your own use.

Extra Tips for a Helpful Visit

  • Be open about all your habits and health, even if you feel embarrassed.
  • Mention changes in vision or hearing since these can also affect memory and thinking.
  • Ask for written information for extra support after your appointment.

Related Questions

Responses are AI-generated

Health Writer

Janis's areas of expertise include nutrition, exercise, stress management, and mental health. She is passionate about educating and empowering people to take control of their health and make positive changes that can last a lifetime. Janis believes that small, sustainable changes are the key to long-term success, and she works with her clients to develop personalized plans that fit their individual needs and lifestyles.