Signs and Symptoms of Vascular Dementia

The symptoms of vascular dementia depend on the location and amount of brain tissue involved. Vascular dementia symptoms may appear suddenly after a stroke, or gradually over time. Symptoms may get worse after another stroke, a heart attack, or major surgery. These are signs and symptoms of vascular dementia:

• Increased difficulty in carrying out normal daily activities because of problems with concentration, communication, or inability to carry out instructions
• Memory problems, although short-term memory may not be affected
• Executive dysfunction: planning, organizing and multi-tasking problems
• Stroke symptoms, such as sudden weakness and difficulty with speech
• Personality changes
• Mood changes, such as depression or irritability
• Stride changes when walking too fast, shuffling steps
• Problems with movement and/or balance
• Urinary problems, such as urgency or incontinence
• Tremors