Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death worldwide. Besides being highest cause of deaths in general, people living beyond the age of 80 most often die from some form of cardiovascular disease (including heart failure). Furthermore, there is a very high correlation between cardiovascular disease and dementia (including Alzheimer's Disease). Cerebrovascular disease, also known as atherosclerosis of the brain, results in insufficiency of blood flow to the brain, and is seen in dementia patients as white areas of the brain in MRI's. Cardiovascular Health.