An estimated 5.3 million Americans have Alzheimer's disease, pushing the total health care costs for each patient to three times more than patients without the disease, according to a new report by the Alzheimer's Association. Deaths from the disease rose 47 percent from 2000 to 2006—while deaths from heart disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and stroke dropped. The report estimates someone in the U.S. will develop Alzheimer's disease every 70 seconds, and by 2050, there will be nearly a million new cases per year.

The rapid growth in Alzheimer's cases has tremendous financial implcations for families and health care costs. Early detection and treatment may be one vital way to address growing costs, and in some cases, less treatment may be better. Though the idea that more health care is better seems to make sense, recent research by the Dartmouth Atlas Project has shown that undergoing rounds of tests, prolonged hospital stays, and extensive treatment do not necessarily help you live better or longer. In fact, too much medical care might shorten your life.

Read more from the Dartmouth study on conservative vs. aggressive treatment, use our Hospital Intensity tool to find out how hospitals in your area treat chronic illnesses, and see our Treatment Ratings (subscribers only) for Alzheimer's.