What caused Lindsey Graham’s death? Local surgeon explains
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham died from an aortic dissection, a tear in the inner layer of the body’s largest artery that can quickly become life-threatening if blood begins flowing between the layers of the aortic wall.
Doctors say an aortic dissection often occurs after years of damage to the artery, including hardening of the arteries and other conditions that weaken the blood vessel. Because symptoms can be subtle or mistaken for other medical emergencies, the condition is sometimes referred to as a “silent killer.”
Dr. Ashish Jain, a vascular surgeon with Novant Health, explained that the aorta is the body’s main artery, carrying oxygen-rich blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
“The wall of that pipe is comprised of three layers, and an aortic dissection occurs when the innermost lining of that wall becomes detached from the rest of the wall. So blood, in a very forceful manner from the heart, is able to extend not only through the true channel of the pipe where it’s supposed to go, but also within the lining of the wall where it’s not supposed to go,” Jain said.
Jain said an aortic dissection can interrupt blood flow to vital organs and may cause severe internal bleeding, making it a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment.
An aortic dissection has also been linked to other high-profile deaths, including actor John Ritter, who died from the condition in 2003.
Medical experts encourage people experiencing sudden, severe chest, back or abdominal pain to seek emergency medical care immediately, as early diagnosis and treatment can improve survival.
