Senator Lindsey Graham, a close ally of President Donald Trump and a longtime Republican from South Carolina, has died due to an aortic dissection.
Spokesperson Taylor Reidy said the preliminary findings from the Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia regarding the senator's death were an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Graham turned 71-years-old, two days before dying on July 11. His office confirmed his death on Saturday, initially citing that the late senator suffered from a "brief and sudden illness."
Although aortic dissection is far less common than a heart attack, it is among the deadliest cardiovascular emergencies.
What Is an Aortic Dissection
An aortic dissection occurs when a tear develops in the inner layer of the aorta, the body's largest artery.
Blood rushes through the tear, forcing the layers of the aortic wall apart. If the dissection ruptures through the outer wall, it is often fatal.
Unlike a heart attack, which occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked, an aortic dissection is a structural emergency involving the aorta itself. Although both conditions can cause severe chest pain, their treatments are entirely different.
According to the American Heart Association, prompt diagnosis and emergency surgery or medication are critical, depending on the location and severity of the tear.
Symptoms That Should Never Be Ignored
The hallmark symptom is the sudden onset of severe pain that many patients describe as "tearing" or "ripping." The pain may begin in the chest and spread to the back, neck, abdomen, or jaw.
Other warning signs include:
- Sudden, severe chest or upper back pain
- Fainting or loss of consciousness
- Difficulty breathing
- Stroke-like symptoms, including weakness or trouble speaking
- Weak pulse in one arm or significant blood pressure differences between arms
Because these symptoms can resemble those of a heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism, experts stress that anyone experiencing them should call emergency services immediately rather than attempting to drive to a hospital.
Who Is Most at Risk?
High blood pressure remains the leading risk factor for aortic dissection. Over time, uncontrolled hypertension places constant stress on the aortic wall, making it more vulnerable to tearing.
Other major risk factors include:
- Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease
- Older age, particularly after age 60
- Smoking
- High cholesterol
- Pre-existing aortic aneurysm
- Connective tissue disorders such as Marfan syndrome or Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
- Congenital heart abnormalities, including a bicuspid aortic valve
- Cocaine or stimulant use
- Chest trauma
The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute notes that while some cases occur suddenly without warning, managing blood pressure and cardiovascular risk factors can significantly reduce the likelihood of developing the condition.
Why Early Treatment Matters
Aortic dissection is considered one of the most time-sensitive medical emergencies. Research published in the New England Journal of Medicine has shown that mortality rises rapidly during the first hours after symptom onset if patients do not receive treatment.
Doctors typically diagnose the condition using advanced imaging such as CT angiography, MRI, or transesophageal echocardiography.
Treatment depends on where the tear occurs. Dissections involving the ascending aorta generally require emergency surgery, while those affecting the descending aorta may initially be managed with medications to aggressively lower blood pressure and heart rate before additional interventions are considered.
The reported preliminary cause of Lindsey Graham's death is a reminder that not all chest pain signals a heart attack. Although relatively uncommon, an aortic dissection is a medical emergency that requires immediate diagnosis and treatment.
Cardiologists say controlling blood pressure, quitting smoking, and managing other cardiovascular risk factors remain the best ways to lower the risk. But for anyone experiencing sudden, severe chest or back pain, the most important step is to seek emergency medical care without delay.
