Gem State Wire

There were 64 deaths from diseases of the heart reported in Idaho in the week ending August 21, making up 18.5 percent of total deaths by all causes in Idaho, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending August 21, there were 346 deaths in the state. 18.5 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 20.2 percent were from cancer and 25.7 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 5.8 percent 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	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor)	70	20.2
Heart disease	64	18.5
COVID-19 (multiple cause)	45	13
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	44	12.7
Cerebrovascular diseases	14	4
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	12	3.5
Influenza and pneumonia	< 10	< 2.9
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	< 10	< 2.9
Diabetes mellitus	< 10	< 2.9
Alzheimer's disease	< 10	< 2.9

Cause of Death	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
Alzheimer disease and dementia	20	5.8