Senator Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) died over the weekend due to an aortic dissection, according to a preliminary examination by the medical examiner.
An aortic dissection occurs when there is a tear in the aorta, the body's largest blood vessel, which carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The wall of the aorta has three layers, and a dissection means a tear has allowed blood to enter and flow between these layers.
Warning Signs and Risk Factors
The most common cause of aortic dissection is an aortic aneurysm, a condition where the aortic wall thins and the aorta enlarges, increasing the risk of rupture. Genetic predisposition can contribute to this thinning of the aortic wall.
Roughly 13,000 Americans die from aortic dissection each year. While it is more common in adults over 60, it can affect younger individuals, particularly those with connective tissue disorders or a family history of aortic dissection. Other contributing factors include traumatic injury, cocaine use, and any condition that causes high blood pressure.
Uncontrolled high blood pressure is a significant risk factor, as is smoking.
Symptoms can vary depending on the type of dissection, but sudden, severe chest or back pain, often described as a “tearing pain,” is common. Abdominal pain and stroke-like symptoms, such as difficulty speaking or weakness on one side of the body, can also occur.
Emergency and Prevention
Aortic dissection is a surgical emergency that requires immediate medical attention. Without prompt treatment, the fatality rate is high.
Preventative measures are crucial. Controlling blood pressure is paramount; individuals with high blood pressure should consult a doctor for management through lifestyle changes or medication. For those under 60 with aortic pathology, genetic testing may be recommended, and first-degree relatives of individuals with thoracic aortic aneurysms are advised to undergo screening.
Early identification and intervention are key. Doctors can monitor individuals with aneurysms and recommend surgery to replace diseased sections of the aorta before they become life-threatening. Diagnosing the condition often occurs incidentally through imaging studies or when a family history is known.
