There were 140 deaths from diseases of the heart reported in Minnesota in the week ending July 29, making up 17.8% of total deaths by all causes in Minnesota, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending July 29, there were 788 deaths in the state. 17.8% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 26.9% were from cancer and less than 1.3% were from COVID-19. Additionally, 12.6% 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 | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor) | 212 | 26.9 |
| Heart disease | 140 | 17.8 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 45 | 5.7 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | 40 | 5.1 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | 33 | 4.2 |
| Diabetes mellitus | 22 | 2.8 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 1.3 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 1.3 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 1.3 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 1.3 |
| Cause of Death | Number of Deaths | % of Total Deaths |
|---|---|---|
| Alzheimer disease and dementia | 99 | 12.6 |
