Granite State Times

There were 58 deaths from diseases of the heart reported in New Hampshire in the week ending August 14, making up 22.2 percent of total deaths by all causes in New Hampshire, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending August 14, there were 261 deaths in the state. 22.2 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 23.4 percent were from cancer and less than 3.8 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 9.6 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)	61	23.4
Heart disease	58	22.2
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	15	5.7
Influenza and pneumonia	< 10	< 3.8
Diabetes mellitus	< 10	< 3.8
Alzheimer's disease	< 10	< 3.8
Cerebrovascular diseases	< 10	< 3.8
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	< 10	< 3.8
COVID-19 (multiple cause)	< 10	< 3.8
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	0	0

Cause of Death	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
Alzheimer disease and dementia	25	9.6