Stroke Victims: Dementia Risk And Brain Health

Strokes can cause vascular dementia, the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer's. Vascular dementia occurs when the brain suffers an injury due to decreased blood flow. Research has shown that the risk of developing dementia within a year of a stroke is tripled. This risk remains elevated for up to 20 years. About a quarter of people who have had a stroke will go on to develop dementia after about three to six months.

Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia

Vascular dementia is characterised by problems with reasoning, planning, judgement, memory, and other thought processes. Symptoms include trouble paying attention and concentrating, difficulty with organisation, problems with memory, restlessness and agitation, and depression or apathy. These symptoms may appear suddenly after a stroke, or they may develop gradually over time.

The risk factors for vascular dementia include age, with the risk rising substantially after the age of 65, and a history of heart attacks, strokes, or ministrokes. Other risk factors include high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, smoking, obesity, and atrial fibrillation.

Vascular dementia is a progressive condition with no cure. However, treatments such as medications and lifestyle changes can help to manage the underlying conditions and reduce the risk of further damage to the brain.

Stroke victims are three times more likely to develop dementia in the first year

The research, which is considered preliminary until full results are published in a peer-reviewed journal, found that the risk of dementia began to drop after the first 12 months but remained elevated for up-to 20 years. The study showed that people who had strokes faced a higher risk of dementia than they did for a subsequent stroke.

The lead researcher, Dr. Raed Joundi, an assistant professor at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, and an investigator at the Population Health Research Institute, said, "Our findings show that stroke survivors are uniquely susceptible to dementia."

Dementia after a stroke is fairly common, with vascular dementia being the second most common type of dementia. It happens when the brain suffers an injury due to decreased blood flow. A stroke can damage various parts of the brain, and if the damage is severe, a person may develop dementia.

The symptoms of dementia after a stroke are similar to those of other types, including new or worsening memory impairments, problems with decision-making, confusion, and changes in mood or personality. However, it can be difficult to distinguish dementia from stroke symptoms in the early days following a stroke.

There are currently no approved medications for post-stroke dementia, but doctors may recommend drugs used to treat other types. While there is no cure, preventing additional strokes may slow or stop cognitive decline. Rehabilitation treatments may also help some people.

Vascular dementia is an unpredictable disease, and progression varies from person to person. It is more common in older people and men, and it has a shorter life expectancy relative to the general population and other types of dementia. Managing underlying cardiovascular risk factors may help prolong life.

Risk factors for dementia after a stroke include older age, family history, and low educational status

Family history is also a risk factor for dementia after a stroke. A study found that the heritability estimate for all ischemic strokes was determined to be 38%, with the greatest association with large vessel (40%) and cardioembolic disease (33%) and the lowest with small vessel disease (16%).

Low educational status is also a risk factor for dementia after a stroke. Educational attainment has been found to protect against cognitive impairment in numerous disorders, including mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's disease, and vascular dementia.

There are no approved medications for post-stroke dementia

There are currently no medications approved for treating post-stroke dementia. However, doctors may recommend drugs used to treat other types of dementia. While there is no cure, preventing additional strokes may slow or stop cognitive decline.

Rehabilitative treatments may help some people. For example, medication may be used to improve a patient's mood if they are feeling depressed. Physiotherapy may also be used to reduce falls.

Preventing future strokes may slow or stop the progression of dementia

Factors that may help reduce the risk of another stroke include:

• Maintaining a moderate weight
• Lowering blood pressure
• Getting more exercise
• Eating a healthy diet

The risk of developing dementia after a stroke depends on which parts of the brain were affected and the severity of the brain damage. Age, sex, and family history may also play a role. Having multiple small strokes also increases the chance of vascular dementia.

Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia, behind Alzheimer's disease. It occurs when the brain suffers an injury due to decreased blood flow. There is currently no cure, but treatments may help some people.

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