Silver State Times

There were 73 deaths from diseases of the heart reported in Nevada in the week ending January 1, making up 20.9 percent of total deaths by all causes in Nevada, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the week ending January 1, there were 349 deaths in the state. 20.9 percent of deaths were caused by heart disease, 14.3 percent were from cancer and 33.2 percent were from COVID-19. Additionally, 8.3 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
Heart disease	73	20.9
COVID-19 (multiple cause)	60	17.2
COVID-19 (underlying cause)	56	16
Malignant neoplasms (cancerous tumor)	50	14.3
Cerebrovascular diseases	19	5.4
Chronic lower respiratory diseases	16	4.6
Alzheimer's disease	12	3.4
Influenza and pneumonia	< 10	< 2.9
Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis	< 10	< 2.9
Diabetes mellitus	< 10	< 2.9

Cause of Death	Cause of Death	% of Total Deaths
Alzheimer disease and dementia	29	8.3