Aortic dissection explained after Lindsey Graham’s sudden death
Lindsey Graham died of an aortic dissection, a preliminary coroner’s report said. These are symptoms and warning signs of the condition.
South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham died of an aortic dissection on July 11, a preliminary coroner’s report said.
Symptoms of aortic dissection can appear quickly and without warning. Graham’s office said in a statement that his death was due to a “short period of sudden illness.”
According to the Mayo Clinic, an aortic dissection occurs when the lining of one of the body’s major arteries tears, allowing blood to leak out. The Cleveland Clinic adds that these events can be life-threatening, noting that 40% of people who suffer sudden-onset aortic dissection “die instantly from complete rupture and bleeding from the aorta.”
Even if aortic dissection is not fatal, it can cause other complications such as stroke, organ damage, and poor blood flow, the Mayo Clinic added.
Here’s what else you need to know about the diagnosis:
Symptoms of aortic dissection
According to the Mayo Clinic, an aortic dissection can feel like a heart attack or another heart disease, and symptoms may include:
- Sudden severe chest or upper back pain that spreads to the neck or back
- sudden severe abdominal pain
- loss of consciousness
- shortness of breath
- Stroke-like symptoms such as vision problems, speech problems, weakness or movement problems on one side of the body.
- Leg pain and difficulty walking
If you have symptoms of an aortic dissection, severe chest pain, or stroke, the Cleveland Clinic advises calling 911 or seeking emergency care.
What causes aortic dissection?
Don’t see the graphic? Click here to view it.
Aortic dissection occurs due to the destruction of cells in the aortic wall, explains the Cleveland Clinic.
“This disease likely developed silently for many years before the weakened sections of the aortic wall finally collapsed,” the clinic added, noting that aortic wall weakness can be inherited or caused by risk factors such as persistent high blood pressure.
Other risk factors include atherosclerosis, plaque buildup in the arteries, high cholesterol, tobacco and drug use, as well as certain disorders and conditions. Men over 60 are also at increased risk because the aortic wall loses its elasticity with age.
Graham’s office said the autopsy was due to atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, and he was 71 years old.
How is aortic dissection treated?
Depending on the location of the tear, there are treatment options for aortic dissection, most of which involve emergency surgery.
The Cleveland Clinic added that in some cases, drugs to lower heart rate and blood pressure may be used to initially treat an autopsy.
Mayo Clinic adds that the symptoms of aortic dissection can look similar to other health conditions, so diagnosis is often delayed, but points out that “early diagnosis and prompt treatment of aortic dissection greatly improves the chances of survival.”
This story has been updated to include an illustration of aortic dissection.
