Vascular (or multi-infarct) dementia refers to a decline in a
person's mental abilities that results from a series of strokes.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to part of the brain is blocked,
cutting off the blood supply to the brain. Vascular dementia
often progresses step by step, with declines in memory and
mental functions occurring each time another stroke occurs. The
specific symptoms a person has depend on which area of the brain
the strokes have affected. Not all strokes cause symptoms.
Vascular dementia is often associated with hardening of the
arteries (atherosclerosis) caused by high cholesterol, high
blood pressure, or diabetes. A person can reduce the risk of
future strokes by controlling high blood pressure, reducing
cholesterol, quitting smoking, and taking aspirin and other
drugs used to treat these conditions. eMedicineHealth Medical
Reference from Healthwise To learn more visit Healthwise.org ©
1995-2012 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for
every health decision, and the Heal