Vascular dementia is the second most common type of dementia after Alzheimer’s disease.
It happens when blood flow to the brain is reduced or blocked, usually due to strokes or damage to small blood vessels.
Without enough blood, brain cells don’t get the oxygen and nutrients they need, and over time, this leads to memory loss, confusion, and other problems with thinking.
While vascular dementia affects both men and women, research shows that men may develop it more often, especially at younger ages. This makes it important to understand the symptoms and how they may show up in men.
The symptoms of vascular dementia can vary depending on which part of the brain is affected and how severe the blood flow problems are. Unlike Alzheimer’s, which usually starts with memory loss, vascular dementia often begins with changes in thinking speed, focus, and problem-solving.
Men may notice that they are slower to understand things, take longer to plan tasks, or have trouble following steps in daily routines. They may become more forgetful, but memory problems are often not as severe in the early stages as they are with Alzheimer’s.
One key symptom in men is difficulty with attention and concentration. They might have trouble staying focused during conversations or get easily distracted. Another early sign is trouble organizing or making decisions. A man who once handled finances or managed a household smoothly might suddenly seem confused by bills or forget how to use familiar tools or devices.
Mood and behavior changes are also common. Some men may become more irritable, impatient, or depressed. Others might lose motivation or interest in hobbies they once enjoyed. In some cases, men can appear emotionally flat or socially withdrawn, which can be mistaken for aging or personality change rather than a medical issue.
A study published in Neurology found that men with vascular dementia often show more noticeable behavior changes than women in the early stages, which can be confusing for family members.
Because vascular dementia is closely linked to strokes and heart disease, physical symptoms can appear as well. Men may have weakness or numbness on one side of the body, problems with balance or walking, or slurred speech.
If these symptoms come on suddenly, it could be due to a stroke, which may be the first warning sign of vascular dementia. Sometimes, multiple small strokes that go unnoticed—called “silent strokes”—build up over time and cause gradual changes in memory and thinking.
Research also shows that men with vascular dementia are more likely to have other health conditions like high blood pressure, diabetes, or smoking history, which raise the risk of further brain damage.
Managing these conditions early is one way to slow down the progression of symptoms. A 2019 review in The Journal of the American Heart Associationconfirmed that controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels can help protect brain health in older men.
As the condition progresses, men may need more help with everyday activities. They might forget appointments, lose track of time, or become confused in familiar places. In the later stages, memory loss can become more severe, and the person may need full-time care.
While there is no cure for vascular dementia, early detection and treatment of the underlying causes—like heart problems and high blood pressure—can slow its progress. Therapies like occupational therapy, memory training, and structured routines can also help improve quality of life.
For families, understanding the symptoms and how they develop in men is the first step to getting help and support. Recognizing the early signs can make a big difference in planning care and helping loved ones stay safe and independent for as long as possible.
If you care about dementia, please read studies about low choline intake linked to higher dementia risk, and how eating nuts can affect your cognitive ability.
For more information about brain health, please see recent studies that blueberry supplements may prevent cognitive decline, and results showing higher magnesium intake could help benefit brain health.
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