Dementia link to stroke: One in three 'will develop brain condition within five years'

One in three stroke victims will be struck down within five years and one in 10 will get dementia within 12 months, say experts.

It means that more than 33,000 people will be ravaged by the incurable condition – with three quarters having vascular dementia, the second most common type after Alzheimer’s, which is linked with blood supply problems to the brain.

The crisis has prompted three of Britain’s biggest charities to join forces and fund a research programme to try to defuse the looming health timebomb.

Symptoms of a stroke

A stroke is serious life-threatening condition that occurs when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off. Look out for these signs for a better chance of a good recovery

The British Heart Foundation, Alzheimer’s Society and Stroke Association are investing £2.2million in a world-first project to try to unpick the causes of vascular dementia.

Professor Joanna Wardlaw, of Edinburgh University, said: “By comparing those who develop vascular dementia after stroke with those who don’t we hope to find out what causes it and find a way to prevent it.”