Recently Americans learned of the sudden death of Senator Lindsey Graham from an aortic dissection. Few really understand what happened and more importantly how to prevent one.
The aorta is the large artery that the heart pumps against while pushing rich oxygenated blood out to the rest of the body. It needs to remain healthy and strong. However, years of uncontrolled high blood pressure, glucose and LDL cholesterol in the aorta can cause damage to the lining. Those areas become weaker and may begin to balloon or bulge out. A rupture or dissection occurs when the damaged areas bleed and people die unless repaired immediately.
Risk Factors for Aortic Dissection:
- Elevated blood pressure, glucose and LDL cholesterol
- Congenital abnormalities
- Genetic disease
- Age and gender (more common in men 60-70 years old)
- Intense weightlifting (raises blood pressure very high)
If you have any risk factors that could damage your aorta, it’s a good idea to ask your healthcare provider if you’re at risk as well.
Prevention:
- Control blood pressure, glucose and LDL cholesterol
- Don’t smoke
- Eat a healthy diet
- Be active
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Get enough sleep
- Wear a seat belt (avoids a chest injury from hitting the steering wheel)
Symptoms:
- Sudden severe chest or upper back pain that spreads to the neck or back. The pain may feel like something is tearing or ripping.
- Sudden severe stomach pain.
- Loss of consciousness.
- Shortness of breath.
- Symptoms like those of a stroke, including sudden vision problems, trouble speaking, and weakness or loss of movement on one side of the body.
- Leg pain and trouble walking.
On A Personal Note:
I’ve worked in many settings caring for heart patients: CCU, ICU, Telemetry, lifestyle counseling, etc. In 2000 I was working on a cardiac telemetry floor on a 12-hour shift. It had been a long day with many emergencies, and I was still at work, exhausted, getting my charting done. I was almost finished when a young woman approached me concerned about her father who was visiting his brother recovering from a heart bypass operation. The other nurses were busy putting out similar emergencies as well.
I immediately went to the room and could tell something was wrong. He was complaining of sharp back pain. My first question was Sir, do you have any significant medical history? His reply, Well, I’ve got this aneurysm that my doctor is keeping an eye on. An aneurysm is a bulge that is a precursor for a rupture or an aortic dissection such as killed Senator Graham.
Immediately I asked a nursing assistant to grab a wheelchair, and we walked rapidly down to the ER trying to keep him calm so the problem wouldn’t get worse.
Upon arriving in the ER, I expressed who I was and that he had a history of an aortic aneurysm, experiencing back pain and needed to be seen immediately. I was directed to take him to reception to sign in etc. No, I need you to go back and tell a doctor what I just said. She did. Suddenly he was wheeled back into ER, and I went back up to my floor to complete my charting.
Days later I found out he was air evacuated to a larger hospital for emergency surgery and survived the event. No one knew who the nurse was until I said Oh, I’m glad to hear and thankful that he survived it.
Adding to the drama was this occurred on July 4th with literally thousands of people gathered on the hospital grounds to observe fireworks over a large pond. My family were there and described the helicopter lift off in the middle of the crowd.
I love that story because it illustrates beautifully why I became a nurse. It’s a very powerful thing when our Lord uses us to do His healing
A Nurse’s Prayer
Give to my heart, Oh Lord…compassion and understanding.
Give to my hand’s skill and tenderness. Give to my ears the ability to listen.
Give to my lips words to comfort. Give to me, Lord…strength for this selfless service.
And enable me to give hope to those who I am called to serve.
Amen.
Living for a Healthy Heart, LLC
Jennie E. Johnson RN, PhD
August 1, 2026
This sume humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).
I’m a Christian nurse who helps people navigate the murky waters of healthcare.
References:
“Aortic Dissection,” Mayo Clinic (September 29, 2025. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/aortic-dissection/symptoms-causes/syc-20369496
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