Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – The cause of Senator Lindsey Graham’s sudden death last weekend was described as “aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.”
What does that even mean?
Doctor Adebola Orekoya is an interventional cardiologist at Memorial Specialty Care , and tells the WTAX Morning Newswatch in short, it’s a tear in the aorta, or main artery.
“Essentially, he had atherosclerotic plaque. This is just plaque buildup with cholesterol and calcification in the walls of the arteries,” said Orekoya. “It can make the artery weak sometimes. It sounds like his kind of ended up into an aortic dissection.”
That happens, Orekoya says, after too much plaque buildup, or it’s weak from a previous surgery or aneurysm.
“Most times, people don’t know they have some sort of weakness in their arteries that can predispose them to this. Certainly, if you have family history of sudden death or known aortic disease, or aortic valve disease, those are things that, if your doctors know you have, they would be aware of, and be weary about this happening.”
Orekoya says it can cause chest pain or extreme back pain, so getting to the hospital quickly can be important. She also says getting regular physicals and screenings can be done before they become problems.
“They’re going to check your blood pressure. They’re going to check your cholesterol. They’re going to check your kidney function…and things like that,” said Orekoya. “In general, preventative and screening for conditions that can be managed before they can be symptomatic, or before they can wreak havoc.”
