There were 19 deaths from diseases of the heart reported in Hawaii in the week ending April 30, making up 13.9% of total deaths by all causes in Hawaii, according to The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the week ending April 30, there were 137 deaths in the state. 13.9% of deaths were caused by heart disease, 24.8% were from cancer and less than 7.3% were from COVID-19.
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) | 34 | 24.8 |
| Heart disease | 19 | 13.9 |
| Cerebrovascular diseases | 12 | 8.8 |
| Influenza and pneumonia | < 10 | < 7.3 |
| Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis | < 10 | < 7.3 |
| Diabetes mellitus | < 10 | < 7.3 |
| Alzheimer’s disease | < 10 | < 7.3 |
| Chronic lower respiratory diseases | < 10 | < 7.3 |
| COVID-19 (underlying cause) | < 10 | < 7.3 |
| COVID-19 (multiple cause) | < 10 | < 7.3 |
