US Senator Lindsey Graham died of an aortic dissection: What you need to know about it

PHOTO: REUTERSGina KolataPublished Jul 13, 2026, 12:15 PMUpdated Jul 13, 2026, 12:15 PMSet as preferred sourceNEW YORK - On July 11, US Senator Lindsey Graham died of an aortic dissection – a rip in the aorta, the main artery carrying blood from the heart to the rest of the body.Such a tear is a medical emergency. A dissection occurs in the inner layer, allowing blood to pour in between the layers of the tubelike vessel.It is most likely caused by an underlying aortic aneurysm – a bubble in the vessel, similar to what can occur in old bicycle tubes. Aortic aneurysms can be caused by high blood pressure, atherosclerosis or some rare underlying genetic conditions, like bicuspid aortic valves.Patients usually describe an excruciating pain, from the chest to the back, “like a knife to the heart”, Grubb said.Treatment depends on where in the artery the tear is.