I’d like to provide an important update regarding the apparent cause of death of Senator Lindsey Graham.

Earlier today, I posted a video discussing several possible medical explanations for his sudden death. Since Senator Graham had recently traveled internationally, we used that opportunity to educate viewers about deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary embolism, including ways to reduce the risk during long trips.

Since then, however, the medical examiner has released a preliminary report indicating that the cause of death was not a pulmonary embolism or a heart attack. Instead, the preliminary findings suggest he suffered an acute aortic dissection.

What Is an Aortic Dissection?

The aorta is the largest artery in the body. Its wall consists of three layers:

• The intima (inner layer)
• The media (middle layer)
• The adventitia (outer layer)

An aortic dissection occurs when the inner layer tears, allowing blood to force its way between the layers of the artery wall. As the blood separates these layers, the tear can extend along the aorta and interfere with blood flow to vital organs.

Why Is It So Dangerous?

As the dissection progresses, it may block blood flow to the:

• Brain
• Spinal cord
• Kidneys and other organs
• Heart

In severe cases, the aorta can rupture, causing catastrophic internal bleeding and sudden death.

High blood pressure is one of the most common risk factors, although connective tissue disorders and other conditions can also contribute.