What is an aortic dissection? Explaining heart condition tied to Lindsey Graham’s death
Washington is waking up in shock this morning after Senator Lindsey Graham died last night of *** brief and sudden illness, as his office described it, underscoring just how sudden it was. Graham had been scheduled to do an interview on *** Sunday morning talk show today. We are still waiting on additional details, but his impact was undeniable. The 71-year-old served in the US Senate for. More than 2 decades after also serving in the House and in the Air Force, he was one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies in Congress, and reacting to news of his death this morning, the President called Graham one of the greatest people and senators I have ever known. He added, quote, He was always working and was *** true American patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed. Senate Majority Leader John Thune also weighing in. Morning writing quote, he was *** strong advocate for the United States and *** strong ally to freedom loving countries across the globe. He believed in the might of America to achieve good in the world and dedicated his life to advancing that cause. Now Graham was *** prominent voice on US foreign policy, on military interventionism, often advising the president on Iran and the Russia-Ukraine war. Underscoring that influence, his death prompted immediate tributes from several Israeli leaders overnight, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In fact, just before his death, the senator was overseas. He was meeting with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, as you can see in this photo here. Now here at home, Graham had been serving as the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee that gave him *** Central role during the president’s second term as Republicans pushed for major legislation on party line votes such as last year’s tax law, for example, Graham had been running for reelection this year under South Carolina law. That state’s governor will be charged with appointing *** replacement for Senator Graham, who will serve in that role until January. At the White House, I’m Jackie DeFusco. Washington is waking up in shock this morning after Senator Lindsey Graham died last night of *** brief and sudden illness, as his office described it, underscoring just how sudden it was. Graham had been scheduled to do an interview on *** Sunday morning talk show today. We are still waiting on additional details, but his impact was undeniable. The 71-year-old served in the US Senate for. More than 2 decades after also serving in the House and in the Air Force, he was one of President Donald Trump’s closest allies in Congress, and reacting to news of his death this morning, the President called Graham one of the greatest people and senators I have ever known. He added, quote, He was always working and was *** true American patriot. Lindsey will be greatly missed. Senate Majority Leader John Thune also weighing in. Morning writing quote, he was *** strong advocate for the United States and *** strong ally to freedom loving countries across the globe. He believed in the might of America to achieve good in the world and dedicated his life to advancing that cause. Now Graham was *** prominent voice on US foreign policy, on military interventionism, often advising the president on Iran and the Russia-Ukraine war. Underscoring that influence, his death prompted immediate tributes from several Israeli leaders overnight, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In fact, just before his death, the senator was overseas. He was meeting with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, as you can see in this photo here. Now here at home, Graham had been serving as the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee that gave him *** Central role during the president’s second term as Republicans pushed for major legislation on party line votes such as last year’s tax law, for example, Graham had been running for reelection this year under South Carolina law. That state’s governor will be charged with appointing *** replacement for Senator Graham, who will serve in that role until January. At the White House, I’m Jackie DeFusco.
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What is an aortic dissection? Explaining heart condition tied to Lindsey Graham’s death
Sen. Lindsey Graham died after a tear in his aorta, according to a preliminary medical examiner finding shared by his office.Graham, a prominent South Carolina Republican and former Air Force lawyer who served in Congress for more than three decades, had turned 71 years old just two days before dying on Saturday night. His office had originally said he had suffered from a “brief and sudden illness.”The tear in the inner wall of the aorta, called an aortic dissection, was related to the hardening of Graham’s arteries. An official cause of death will be disclosed after toxicological and microscopic testing.What is an aortic dissection?Aortic dissection is a rare but life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when a tear develops in the inner layer of the aorta, the body’s largest artery. Blood rushes through the tear, causing the layers of the artery wall to separate. This can reduce or block blood flow to vital organs or cause the aorta to rupture, according to the Cleveland Clinic.Without immediate diagnosis and treatment, an aortic dissection can quickly become fatal. Aortic dissection is most common in men in their 60s and 70s.What are the symptoms?According to the Cleveland Clinic, the hallmark of an aortic dissection is its sudden onset.The condition can occur at any time, though it is often triggered by a sudden spike in blood pressure during heavy exertion. It can also happen while a person is resting or even sleeping, and there are typically no warning signs before it begins.The Cleveland Clinic says an aortic dissection can mimic a heart attack or other heart conditions. Symptoms may include:Sudden, severe chest or upper back painSevere stomach pain.Fainting or losing consciousness.Shortness of breath.Stroke-like symptoms, such as trouble speaking, vision changes, or weakness on one side of the body.Leg pain or difficulty walking.
Sen. Lindsey Graham died after a tear in his aorta, according to a preliminary medical examiner finding shared by his office.
Graham, a prominent South Carolina Republican and former Air Force lawyer who served in Congress for more than three decades, had turned 71 years old just two days before dying on Saturday night.
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His office had originally said he had suffered from a “brief and sudden illness.”
The tear in the inner wall of the aorta, called an aortic dissection, was related to the hardening of Graham’s arteries.
An official cause of death will be disclosed after toxicological and microscopic testing.
What is an aortic dissection?
Aortic dissection is a rare but life-threatening medical emergency that occurs when a tear develops in the inner layer of the aorta, the body’s largest artery.
Blood rushes through the tear, causing the layers of the artery wall to separate. This can reduce or block blood flow to vital organs or cause the aorta to rupture, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Without immediate diagnosis and treatment, an aortic dissection can quickly become fatal.
Aortic dissection is most common in men in their 60s and 70s.
What are the symptoms?
According to the Cleveland Clinic, the hallmark of an aortic dissection is its sudden onset.
The condition can occur at any time, though it is often triggered by a sudden spike in blood pressure during heavy exertion. It can also happen while a person is resting or even sleeping, and there are typically no warning signs before it begins.
The Cleveland Clinic says an aortic dissection can mimic a heart attack or other heart conditions. Symptoms may include:
- Sudden, severe chest or upper back pain
- Severe stomach pain.
- Fainting or losing consciousness.
- Shortness of breath.
- Stroke-like symptoms, such as trouble speaking, vision changes, or weakness on one side of the body.
- Leg pain or difficulty walking.




















