The condition believed to have caused the sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham — an aortic dissection — is a dangerous medical emergency capable of killing within a very short time.
The aorta is the body’s largest artery, functioning much like a major highway that rises from the heart, curves overhead, and travels down through the abdomen, delivering oxygen-rich blood throughout the body as smaller arteries branch off along the way.
An aortic dissection occurs when a tear develops in the artery’s inner lining, allowing blood to rush between the surrounding layers of the vessel wall, according to the American Medical Association. This reduces blood flow to critical organs and can sometimes cause the artery to rupture, flooding nearby tissue with blood. The condition is often linked to an aortic aneurysm — a weakened area of the artery that balloons outward under pressure.
Several factors can raise a person’s risk, including high blood pressure, elevated cholesterol that leads to artery stiffening — known as atherosclerosis — and tobacco use. While the condition is more frequently seen in older individuals, certain inherited genetic disorders can cause it in younger people as well.
A preliminary report from a medical examiner, released by Graham’s office, indicated that his aortic dissection was connected to hardening of the arteries.
The warning signs typically come on suddenly and intensely, often presenting as sharp, stabbing pain in the chest or back. Depending on where along the aorta the tear occurs, pain may also appear in the neck, jaw, or abdomen. The American Heart Association notes that other symptoms can include sudden loss of consciousness, cold or sweaty skin, stroke-like signs such as sudden weakness on one side of the body, or signs of shock like a racing heartbeat or mental confusion.
Receiving medical attention quickly greatly improves a patient’s odds of survival. Surgeons may attempt to repair or reinforce the damaged section of the aorta, with the specific approach depending on where the tear is located and how severe it is.
