STROKE survivors in Northern Ireland are almost twice as likely to be diagnosed with dementia, according to new research.
The British Heart Foundation (BHF) NI has also found the number of people diagnosed with both of the conditions has nearly doubled in the past decade.
An estimated 8.2 per cent of stroke survivors in Northern Ireland - around 3,600 people - are also living with dementia. Of those who develop dementia after a stroke, around three quarters are diagnosed with vascular dementia.
The charity says the "true scale of the relationship between stroke and vascular dementia is now emerging as recording of dementia improves".
By 2050, the number of people living with vascular dementia in the north is predicted to double.
BHF NI said more research is needed into investigating the "devastating combination" of both conditions and to find new ways to prevent and treat the diseases.
Dr Sonya Babu-Narayan, associate medical director at the BHF, said: "Improvements in diagnosis and treatment mean that people are more likely than ever to survive and recover from a stroke.
"But these concerning figures show that stroke survivors are at an increased risk of being diagnosed with dementia - a devastating combination for people and their families to live with.
"The number of people living with all forms of dementia is also expected to rise over the next decade, fuelled by better awareness of the condition and the growing and ageing population."
Fearghal McKinney, head of BHF NI, said: "Research has led to significant progress in treating heart attacks and stroke, but little progress has been made in treating dementia.
"Funding research could prove crucial in finding new ways to prevent and treat this devastating disease."
