Vascular dementia is the second most common form of dementia after Alzheimers disease. It is caused by conditions that damage blood vessels in the brain or partially or fully block blood flow, which prevents oxygen and nutrient delivery to the brain and causes brain cells to die. Common causes of vascular dementia include:
- Narrowing (atherosclerosis) and/or blockage of many blood vessels (ischemic strokes) or tiny capillaries (small-vessel disease) that feed brain cells in your brain.
- Abnormal aging of blood vessels (atherosclerosis), which occurs when deposits of cholesterol and other substances (plaques) build up in your arteries and narrow your blood vessels.
- High blood pressure, which can damage and weaken blood vessels in the brain.
- Diabetes, which can damage blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the brain.
- Smoking, which can damage blood vessels and increase the risk of atherosclerosis.
Other risk factors for vascular dementia include age, high blood cholesterol, lack of exercise, being overweight or obese, and drinking too much alcohol. Its important to note that many people with dementia and evidence of brain vascular disease also have Alzheimers disease.
