HEALTH AND WELLNESS
Lindsey Graham
Lindsey Graham’s death was sudden. That’s not uncommon with aortic dissection
Sara MoniuszkoUSA TODAY
Updated July 13, 2026, 9:53 a.m. ET
South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham died on July 11 of an aortic dissection, according to a preliminary medical examiner’s report
Aortic dissection symptoms can come on rapidly and without warning. In a statement, Graham’s office said his death followed a “brief and sudden illness.”
An aortic dissection happens when the inner lining of the body’s main artery tears and blood leaks out, according to the Mayo Clinic. These occurrences can be life-threatening, the Cleveland Clinic adds, noting 40% of people with a sudden onset aortic dissection “die immediately from complete rupture and bleeding out from their aorta.”
When not fatal, aortic dissections can also cause other complications including strokes, organ damage and poor blood flow, the Mayo Clinic adds
Here’s what else to know about the diagnosis
Aortic dissection symptoms
Aortic dissection may feel like a heart attack or another heart condition, according to the Mayo Clinic, with symptoms that can include:
- Sudden and severe chest or upper back pain that spreads to the neck or back
- Sudden severe stomach pain
- Loss of consciousness
- Shortness of breath
- Stroke-like symptoms, including vision problems, trouble speaking and weakness or loss of movement on one side of the body.
- Leg pain and trouble walking
If you have symptoms of aortic dissection, severe chest pain or symptoms of a stroke, call 911 or seek emergency care, the Cleveland Clinic advises
What causes aortic dissection?
Aortic dissection happens because of a breakdown of the cells in your aorta walls, the Cleveland Clinic explains
“The breakdown has likely been going on silently for many years before the weakened area of the aortic wall finally gives way,” the clinic adds, noting weakness in the aortic wall might be inherited or caused by risk factors like constant high blood pressure
Other risk factors include atherosclerosis, a plaque buildup in your arteries, or high cholesterol, tobacco or drug use as well as certain disorders and conditions. Being male and over 60 also puts you at higher risk, as the aortic wall loses elasticity with age
Graham, whose office said his dissection was due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, was 71
How do you fix a dissection of the aorta?
Depending on the location of the tear, there are treatment options for aortic dissection − mostly emergency surgeries
In certain cases, medications to lower heart rate and blood pressure may be used to treat a dissection at first, the Cleveland Clinic adds
Since symptoms of aortic dissection may seem like other health conditions, there are often delays in diagnosis, the Mayo Clinic adds, but notes “early diagnosis and fast treatment of aortic dissection greatly improve the chance of survival.”
