How is Vascular Dementia assessed?
If VaD is suspected, the doctor will often order scans of the brain in order to check for blockages or narrowing of blood vessels in the brain. What are the risk factors for Vascular Dementia? Both men and women can be affected by VaD. Risk factors for VaD include: over age 65, having high blood pressure (hypertension), heart disease, diabetes. Smoking, being overweight, having elevated cholesterol levels and a family history of heart problems may also increase the risk of stroke, which increases the risk of VaD. Mini-strokes (sometimes referred to as transient ischemic attacks or TIAs) are warning signs that a stroke may be imminent. Temporary loss of vision, speech, strength or brief episodes of numbness may indicate a TIA. Knowing the risk factors for VaD is important because often they may be treated to reduce the risk of stroke. Risk factors can be reduced by adopting a healthy lifestyle that includes regular physical activity, eating well, avoiding smoking and reducing stress. Me
