Cognitive impairment, dizziness, and unsteadiness in hypertensive patients

Abstract

Hypertension is a widespread disease related to modifiable vascular risk factors for stroke and chronic cerebrovascular diseases. The pathogenetic basis of brain damage in hypertension is cerebral microangiopathy that leads to vascular cognitive impairment (CI), instability, and falls. Microcirculatory changes in the presence of hypertension at the initial stages of cerebrovascular disease occur without visible clinical manifestations of brain damage. Pathogenetically justified treatment used at an early stage of the disease makes it possible to achieve good results in the prevention of vascular brain damage. An important aspect of selecting effective therapy is the competent diagnosis of the causes of dizziness and instability, which can be caused not only by brain damage, but also by peripheral vestibular system diseases. Early diagnosis of vascular CI, selection of adequate therapy, and prevention of their further progression are of great importance. The studies performed have shown the high efficacy of vinpocetine (Cavinton®) that has a multifactorial mechanism of action in the treatment and prevention of CI, dizziness, and instability caused by cerebrovascular disease.

Keywords

• hypertension
• stroke
• vascular cognitive impairment
• benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
• vestibular migraine