There were 70 deaths with heart disease listed as the underlying cause reported in Idaho during the week ending Oct. 22, 2022, a 22.8% increase over the previous week, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending Oct. 22, 2022, there were 325 deaths in the state. 21.5% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 17.2% were from cancer and 4% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 11.1% of deaths were from Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Studies show doctors and medical examiners may underreport Alzheimer’s disease and dementia-related conditions as the underlying cause of death on death certificates, according to the National Institute on Aging.
Once infected, older adults with dementia are likely to develop a more severe and dangerous illness. The diseases which make an older adult more vulnerable to COVID-19 are age-associated chronic conditions, according to the Bright Focus Foundation.
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 22, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 15, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Heart disease | 70 | 57 |
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 56 | 58 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 24 | 13 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | 18 | 13 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 14 | 12 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | 13 | < 10 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 10 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 10 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 10 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 10 |
| Cause of Death | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 22, 2022 | Deaths in Week Ending Oct. 15, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 36 | 34 |
