Preliminary medical examiner's findings suggest Sen. Lindsey Graham died suddenly Saturday after suffering an aortic dissection.

An aortic aneurysm occurs when a weak aortic wall stretches, causing it to bulge. An aortic dissection occurs when there’s a tear in the aortic wall, which can be fatal if not treated immediately. The symptoms of an aortic dissection and an aortic ...

Thoracic aortic dissection occurs when the intima of the aorta becomes compromised and “tears” or “dissects” a new layer that fills with blood between the intima and the media. This “false lumen” can start in different locations and has ...

What Is an Aortic Dissection? An aortic dissection is an emergency with your aorta, which is the largest blood vessel in your body and the main artery that takes blood from your heart to the rest of your body. In an aortic dissection, the inner layer of ...

The aorta is a main artery that carries blood away from your heart to the rest of the body. The blood it carries is rich in oxygen, and your body relies on it for survival. The aorta is about an inch wide and has an inner, middle, and outer layer.