What is vascular dementia?
The short answer
Vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain — from strokes, small vessel disease (lacunar infarcts), or chronic cardiovascular risk factors like hypertension. It is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's, accounting for about 15–20% of dementia cases.
Unlike Alzheimer's, which is driven by amyloid and tau accumulation, vascular dementia is driven by ischaemic damage. This means it is more preventable — aggressively treating cardiovascular risk factors can slow or sometimes partially reverse vascular cognitive impairment.
The data
| Feature | Alzheimer's | Vascular dementia |
|---|---|---|
| Onset | Gradual | Often stepwise — worsens after strokes |
| Main symptom | Memory loss first | Executive function and processing speed first |
| Progression | Gradual, steady | Variable — plateaus between events |
| Brain pathology | Amyloid plaques, tau tangles | Infarcts, white matter lesions |
| Main risk factors | Age, genetics, APOE-e4 | Hypertension, diabetes, atrial fibrillation |
| Prevention potential | Moderate | High — cardiovascular risk factor control |
Medical disclaimer
This content is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Scores from online tests are not diagnostic - if you are concerned about symptoms such as memory loss, attention problems, or cognitive decline, consult a qualified clinician.
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Quick Answer
Vascular dementia is caused by reduced blood flow to the brain - from strokes, small vessel disease, or cardiovascular risk factors. It is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimer's. Unlike Alzheimer's, it can sometimes be slowed by aggressively treating cardiovascular risk.
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