Lifestyle modifications play a crucial role in the management of vascular dementia by targeting modifiable vascular risk factors to potentially slow cognitive decline and improve overall wellbeing. These modifications include promoting smoking cessation, increasing physical activity, adopting a healthy diet, reducing alcohol consumption, and maintaining a healthy weight, all of which are associated with reduced risk and progression of vascular cognitive impairment NICE NG97,NICE NG16 Iwamoto 2014You et al. 2024.
Specifically, encouraging physical activity not only helps reduce vascular risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes but also preserves cognitive function and reduces the risk of falls, thereby improving quality of life in people with vascular dementia NICE NG16 You et al. 2024.
Smoking cessation is emphasized due to its direct link with vascular damage and increased dementia risk, making quitting or harm reduction a key intervention NICE NG16 Iwamoto 2014.
Dietary approaches focusing on increased intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fish, while reducing salt, saturated fats, and sugars, support vascular health and may contribute to slowing cognitive decline NICE NG16 Iwamoto 2014.
Although pharmacological treatments specifically targeting vascular dementia are limited and not routinely recommended unless comorbid Alzheimer's disease is suspected, lifestyle interventions remain foundational in managing vascular risk factors that contribute to cognitive impairment NICE NG97[Farooq et al., 2017].
Furthermore, integrating dementia risk reduction into broader public health strategies aimed at cardiovascular disease and diabetes prevention reinforces the importance of lifestyle modification as a preventive and management approach for vascular dementia NICE NG16 You et al. 2024.
In summary, lifestyle modifications are essential in managing vascular dementia by addressing underlying vascular risk factors, promoting cognitive health, and enhancing quality of life, supported by both UK guidelines and current clinical research.
Key References
- NG97 - Dementia: assessment, management and support for people living with dementia and their carers
- NG16 - Dementia, disability and frailty in later life – mid-life approaches to delay or prevent onset
- (Iwamoto, 2014): [Prevention of dementia on the basis of modification of lifestyle and management of lifestyle-related diseases: a review].
- (Farooq et al., 2017): Pharmacotherapy for Vascular Cognitive Impairment.
- (You et al., 2024): Vascular cognitive impairment: Advances in clinical research and management.