CNRN Practice Exam 2025 – Complete Prep for Your Certification Test

The greatest risk factor for multi-infarct dementia is hypertension. This condition is characterized by multiple small strokes, which can lead to cognitive decline and dementia as they accumulate over time. Hypertension causes damage to the blood vessels, increasing the likelihood of ischemic events in the brain. These ischemic strokes contribute significantly to the development of vascular dementia, with multi-infarct dementia being one of the forms resulting from repeated small strokes.

While diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, and smoking are indeed significant risk factors for cerebrovascular disease and overall cardiovascular health, they do not have the same direct and strong association with multi-infarct dementia as hypertension does. Managing blood pressure effectively can help reduce the risk of strokes and, consequently, the development of multi-infarct dementia, highlighting the critical role hypertension plays in this context. Understanding this relationship underlines the importance of hypertension monitoring and management in preventing cognitive decline related to vascular issues.