Symptoms
Vascular dementia
Vascular dementia can have symptoms similar to Alzheimer’s, like memory loss, confusion and problems with communication. But there can also be more specific symptoms depending on the cause of vascular dementia and area of the brain affected.
In this section:
Symptoms of vascular dementia depend on which part(s) of the brain is damaged by the vascular disease.
People with vascular dementia can have similar symptoms to Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia.
But there can also be more specific symptoms. These will depend on the underlying cause of the vascular dementia and the area of the brain affected.
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What are the symptoms of vascular dementia?
Vascular dementia symptoms may include:
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Difficulty performing tasks that used to be easy, learning new information and following instructions
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Difficulty with paying attention, reading and writing
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Struggling to find the right word, or using wrong words
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Slurring speech
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Difficulty following conversations
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People may become depressed, agitated or angry.
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Loss of interest in things or people around them or become more emotional.
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Unsteadiness or changes in the way a person walks, or weakness on one side of the body which can be a symptom of post-stroke vascular dementia.
Symptoms of post-stroke vascular dementia might occur immediately or soon after a stroke. People are sometimes described as having an abrupt or stepwise decline in their overall functioning.
Vascular dementia symptoms caused by blood vessel diseases often develop in a more gradual way. So, symptoms will slowly get worse over time. The speed of change can vary over time and from person to person.
The first sign something was wrong was when I had a TGA (transient global amnesia) episode and lost my memory of a whole day. Doctors said I would probably recover and should get normal function back. After several months, it became clear that something wasn’t right. I was struggling to find words, repeating myself constantly and my concentration was just out of the window.
Sue, who lives with vascular dementia
What happens in the later stages of vascular dementia?
In the later stages of dementia, the condition affects most aspects of everyday life. So, over time people need more help and support with eating, dressing, washing, using the toilet and walking.
What is vascular mild cognitive impairment?
Some people experience memory and thinking problems that do not impact everyday life.
This is called mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Downloads
Dementia information
The information in this booklet is for anyone who wants to know more about vascular dementia, including people living with vascular dementia, their carers, families and friends.
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PDF, 753 KB, 15 pages
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This information was updated in December 2025 and is due to be reviewed in December 2027. It was written by Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Information Services team with input from lay and expert reviewers. Please get in touch if you’d like a version with references or in a different format.
This information is produced with support from The Perfume Shop who had no input into the content.
