{"id":4849,"date":"2026-07-13T08:06:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-13T03:06:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=4849"},"modified":"2026-07-13T08:06:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-13T03:06:28","slug":"what-to-know-about-aortic-dissections-after-death-of-sen-lindsey-graham","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=4849","title":{"rendered":"What to know about aortic dissections after death of Sen. Lindsey Graham"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" data-testid=\"prism-article-body\">\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao MvWXB TjIXL aGjvy ebVHC \">Senator Lindsey Graham\u2019s family announced over the weekend that the 71-year-old <a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/abcnews.com\/Politics\/sen-lindsey-graham-south-carolina-dies-71\/story?id=134688641\" rel=\"nofollow\" dir=\"ltr\">lawmaker died<\/a> from \u201ca brief and sudden illness.&#8221; <!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">On Sunday, preliminary findings from the Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia said the senator died from an \u201caortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">An aortic<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->dissection is a life-threatening medical emergency that results from a tear in the inner layer of the aorta, the body\u2019s main artery that receives blood from the heart and delivers it to the body,<!-- -->\u00a0<a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fvascular.org%2Fyour-vascular-health%2Fvascular-conditions%2Faortic-dissection%23resource-73&amp;data=05%7C02%7CLeah.Sarnoff%40abc.com%7Ce00190c334dc4b600b6508dee082d473%7C56b731a8a2ac4c32bf6b616810e913c6%7C1%7C0%7C639195049673512122%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=M6MQhjjd1i74%2BUcdReXczT%2FEvVhTEKcd64bRYJckYbg%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" dir=\"ltr\">according to the Society of Vascular Surgery<\/a>.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">This tear allows<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->blood to flow between<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->layers of the aorta and can prevent adequate blood flow from reaching organs in the<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->body.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">\u201cAn aortic dissection is a life-threatening condition that requires rapid diagnosis, as emergent surgery can be necessary. Subsequent decision-making is based on the location of the tear in the aorta and any associated poor blood flow to organs,&#8221; Dr. Roberto Aru, an assistant professor of vascular surgery at Thomas Jefferson University, told ABC News.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">This problem can quickly become deadly if the blood flowing in the dissected layers of the aorta ruptures through the outer layer of the aorta.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Symptoms of an aortic dissection often occur suddenly and include severe<!-- -->\u00a0<!-- -->chest or back pain that resembles a heart attack.<\/p>\n<div class=\"oLzSq QrHMO fnRUo pvsTF EhJPu vPlOC zNYgW OsTsW RMeqy daRVX ISNQ sKyCY eRftA acPPc MENS nFwaT MCnQE mEeeY SmBjI xegrY rPLsU iulOd NIuqO zzscu lzDCc aHUBM IEgzD OjMNy eQqcx SVqKB GQmdz jaoD VWDdR ONJdw vrZxD OnRTz gbbfF roDbV GPGwb oMlSS gfNzt oJhud eXZcf zhVlX \">\n<div>\n<div class=\"InlineImage GpQCA lZur asrEW \" data-testid=\"prism-inline-image\">\n<figure class=\"kzIjN GNmeK pYrtp dSqFO \" data-testid=\"prism-figure\">\n<div class=\"GpQCA lZur \" style=\"padding-bottom:67.86265432098766%\" data-testid=\"prism-ratio-frame\">\n<div class=\"FvQLF iLTd NqeUA UzzHi iWsMV \"><picture data-testid=\"prism-picture\"><source media=\"(max-width: 414px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/0a30bf96-7911-4fa1-b712-0b74ea7a44cc\/Lindsey-Graham-1-ap-gmh-260712_1783861554906_hpMain_2.jpg?w=375, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/0a30bf96-7911-4fa1-b712-0b74ea7a44cc\/Lindsey-Graham-1-ap-gmh-260712_1783861554906_hpMain_2.jpg?w=750 2x\"\/><source media=\"(min-width: 415px)\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/0a30bf96-7911-4fa1-b712-0b74ea7a44cc\/Lindsey-Graham-1-ap-gmh-260712_1783861554906_hpMain_2.jpg?w=750, https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/0a30bf96-7911-4fa1-b712-0b74ea7a44cc\/Lindsey-Graham-1-ap-gmh-260712_1783861554906_hpMain_2.jpg?w=1500 2x\"\/><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"\" class=\"hsDdd NDJZt sJeUN IJwXl vBqtr KrDt itslR SjwtZ hakZw HlUVI \" data-testid=\"prism-image\" draggable=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/0a30bf96-7911-4fa1-b712-0b74ea7a44cc\/Lindsey-Graham-1-ap-gmh-260712_1783861554906_hpMain_2.jpg\"\/><\/picture><\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption>\n<div class=\"nMMea bNYiy Mjgpa dGwha DDmxa jgKNG RGHCC aBIU PriDW aiQHS lZur \" data-testid=\"prism-caption\">\n<p><span class=\"hsDdd OOSI GpQCA lZur VlFaz \" data-testid=\"prism-truncate\"><span><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ \">Sen. Lindsey Graham speaks to the media in Kyiv, Ukraine, March 18, 2024.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"gtOSm FbbUW tUtYa vOCwz EQwFq yCufu eEak Qmvg nyTIa SRXVc vzLa jgBfc WXDas CiUCW kqbG zrdEG txGfn ygKVe BbezD UOtxr CVfpq xijV soGRS XgdC sEIlf daWqJ YNujN JGtjI aZFDu rkKLh \">Vadim Ghirda\/AP Photo, Files<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Aru said patients often present with \u201cthe worst chest or back pain of their life that is similar to a ripping or stabbing sensation\u201d.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">\u201cAnyone experiencing these symptoms or any symptom resembling a heart attack should seek emergency medical care,\u201d Aru said. \u201cA timely diagnosis and emergency medical care are paramount for survival and improved outcomes, so it can mean the difference between life or death.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Additional symptoms can include severe abdominal pain, \u200bfainting, shortness of breath, leg pain or weakness, difficulty walking, and stroke-like symptoms such as sudden loss of vision, speech difficulty or weakness, according to the Society of Vascular Surgery.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Treatment can require emergent surgery, depending on where in the aorta the dissection is located and what complications are associated with it, Aru said.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">There are two types of aortic dissections. Type A dissections are more common and more often severe, involving a tear in the aorta near the heart, called the ascending aorta. Type B dissections occur from a tear in the lower portion of the aorta, known as the descending thoracic aorta.<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">Aru said type B aortic dissections without complications may be managed with medications to lower a person\u2019s blood pressure and heart rate but still require close monitoring and may eventually need surgery in the short or long-term.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">While rare, aortic dissections are more common among men in their 60s and 70s. People who smoke and those with high blood pressure are at increased risk, in addition to those with genetic connective tissue disorders. It can also be caused by trauma.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">About 10,000 people died in 2019 from an aortic dissection or aortic aneurysm, a balloon-like bulge in the aorta,<!-- -->\u00a0<a class=\"zZygg UbGlr iFzkS qdXbA WCDhQ DbOXS tqUtK GpWVU iJYzE \" data-testid=\"prism-linkbase\" href=\"https:\/\/nam04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fheart-disease%2Fabout%2Faortic-aneurysm.html&amp;data=05%7C02%7CLeah.Sarnoff%40abc.com%7Ce00190c334dc4b600b6508dee082d473%7C56b731a8a2ac4c32bf6b616810e913c6%7C1%7C0%7C639195049673570689%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=2%2BRIWaRsK4uehr3Pa5LspxYG4phA8uMlaYERLBdAYzg%3D&amp;reserved=0\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" dir=\"ltr\">according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention<\/a>.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC TjIXL aGjvy \">People can lower their risk or prevent an aortic dissection from happening by managing their blood pressure and avoiding smoking.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/p>\n<p class=\"EkqkG IGXmU nlgHS yuUao lqtkC eTIW sUzSN \"><em class=\" \">Jade A. Cobern, MD, MPH, is a practicing physician, board-certified in pediatrics and general preventive medicine, and is a fellow of the ABC News Medical Unit. Youri Benadjaoud also contributed to this reporting.<!-- -->\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Senator Lindsey Graham\u2019s family announced over the weekend that the 71-year-old lawmaker died from \u201ca brief and sudden illness.&#8221; \u00a0 On Sunday, preliminary findings from the Medical Examiner of the District of Columbia said the senator died from an \u201caortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.&#8221; An aortic\u00a0dissection is a life-threatening medical emergency that results&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4850,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/i.abcnewsfe.com\/a\/0a30bf96-7911-4fa1-b712-0b74ea7a44cc\/Lindsey-Graham-1-ap-gmh-260712_1783861554906_hpMain_2_16x9.jpg?w=1600","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4849","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-abc-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4849","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4849"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4849\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4850"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4849"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4849"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4849"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}