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Contents
  • Common Risk Factors
  • Poststroke Dementia Risk Factors
  • The Role of Cognitive Reserve

Are These Common Risk Factors Leading You Towards Vascular Dementia?

Are These Common Risk Factors Leading You Towards Vascular Dementia?

The Big Picture

Vascular dementia risk factors include those that also lead to strokes. Identifying these can help prevent the onset of this type of dementia.
Contents
  • Common Risk Factors
  • Poststroke Dementia Risk Factors
  • The Role of Cognitive Reserve

Common Risk Factors

Factors like advanced age, hypertension, and diabetes increase the risk of vascular dementia. Lifestyle choices such as smoking and lack of physical activity also contribute. Managing these can reduce the likelihood of developing the condition.

Poststroke Dementia Risk Factors

Dementia following a stroke is common, with certain factors increasing this risk. Prestroke history, such as age and diabetes, and stroke-related factors like aphasia, can lead to poststroke dementia. Understanding these risks can aid in prevention.
Factors such as advanced age, hypertension, diabetes, and lifestyle choices like smoking and lack of physical activity contribute to the risk of developing vascular dementia. Understanding and managing these can help in prevention.

The Role of Cognitive Reserve

Cognitive reserve, or the brain's resilience to damage, affects dementia risk. Higher education and mental stimulation can lower the risk. While more studied in Alzheimer's, cognitive reserve's role in vascular dementia is gaining attention.

FAQs

What increases vascular dementia risk?

Age, hypertension, diabetes, and lifestyle choices like smoking.

Is stroke related to vascular dementia?

Yes, stroke is a major risk factor for vascular dementia.

How can cognitive reserve help?

It may lower the risk by enhancing brain resilience.

Does physical activity affect vascular dementia risk?

Yes, lower physical activity is a risk factor.

Key Takeaways

Addressing risk factors could be your best defense against vascular dementia.
Explore ways to reduce your risk of vascular dementia with Doctronic today.
Additional References
  1. Lackland DT, Roccella EJ, Deutsch AF, et al. Factors influencing the decline in stroke mortality. Stroke 2014; 45:315.
  2. Sharp SI, Aarsland D, Day S, et al. Hypertension is a potential risk factor for vascular dementia. Int J Geriatr Psychiatry 2011; 26:661.
  3. Hassing LB, Johansson B, Nilsson SE. Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for vascular dementia. Int Psychogeriatr 2002; 14:239.
This article has been reviewed for accuracy by one of the licensed medical doctors working for Doctronic.