The sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham at age 71 has renewed public focus on aortic dissection, a rare but often deadly cardiovascular emergency.

Preliminary findings from the District of Columbia’s Office of the Chief Medical Examiner identified the cause of death as an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease, according to a statement released by Graham’s office.

Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel, who did not treat Graham, described the condition as a tear in the layers of the aorta, the body’s largest artery.

“It can come on in minutes or days and may be hard to recognize,” Siegel said, adding that symptoms often strike suddenly even if the condition progresses over time.

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Graham’s death places a national spotlight on a condition that has claimed the lives of several other well-known figures across entertainment and politics.

Actor John Ritter, famed for his role in “Three’s Company,” died on September 11, 2003, after suffering a type A aortic dissection. He was initially treated for what doctors thought was a heart attack before the cause became clear.

Following Ritter’s death, his family established the John Ritter Foundation for Aortic Health to support research and awareness. The organization later said Graham’s death brought “needed attention” to the condition.

Meredith Ford O’Neal, CEO of the foundation, told Fox News Digital that “deaths due to aortic dissections are preventable if individuals at risk are identified and properly treated.” She emphasized that these tragedies are not uncommon.

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Rep. Doug LaMalfa of California also died from complications of an aortic dissection at age 65 on January 6, 2026, according to the Butte County Sheriff’s Office. Cardiomegaly, or an enlarged heart, was listed as another significant condition.

LaMalfa, who represented California’s 1st Congressional District, was taken into emergency surgery but passed away during the procedure, according to authorities. His death was ruled natural.

Actor Alan Thicke, best known for his role on “Growing Pains,” died from an aortic dissection on December 13, 2016, at age 69. He had reportedly experienced chest pain while playing hockey with his son before being rushed to a hospital.

The Los Angeles County coroner determined that Thicke’s dissection caused a ruptured aorta. Heart surgeon Dr. Grayson Wheatley later described the case as “unfortunate,” reflecting on his own experience treating hundreds of similar patients.

Wheatley said chest pain is often the first signal of a sudden tear in the aorta and can develop “within a few heartbeats.” He added that many patients describe the pain as an intense tearing sensation that can cause them to collapse.

Dr. Neel Mansukhani, a vascular surgeon at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago, explained that a dissection involves a separation of the three layers of the aorta. “It’s similar to paint peeling off a wall,” he told Fox News Digital, warning that its location determines the potential consequences.

According to Mansukhani, risk increases with age and conditions that weaken blood vessels, such as high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease. He said the constant pressure of blood flow can make the walls of the aorta more vulnerable over time.

Mansukhani noted that type A dissections near the heart are “immediately life-threatening” and typically require surgery within a day if a patient can tolerate it, while type B dissections lower in the aorta are often less urgent.

Although the condition often strikes without warning, experts say awareness and monitoring of cardiovascular health may help reduce risk. For many, the renewed attention brought by Graham’s death underscores how vital that awareness can be.