Senator Lindsey Graham just died of aorta disease. My husband did too.

Key Points:

• Senator Lindsey Graham died at 71 from an aortic dissection, a sudden tear in the aorta wall, often linked to age, high blood pressure, and arteriosclerosis, distinct from aneurysms and ruptures.
• Aortic aneurysms are bulges developing slowly and silently, while dissections are sudden tears that can occur without prior enlargement, requiring emergency care; ruptures are fatal bursts that can result from either condition.
• The author's husband, Grant Wahl, died at 49 from a ruptured ascending aortic aneurysm caused by a likely genetic connective tissue defect, highlighting the inherited form of aortic disease that affects younger people without typical risk factors.
• Genetic testing after sudden aortic deaths can identify variants linked to connective tissue disorders, allowing relatives to undergo screening and monitoring to prevent fatal outcomes, as demonstrated by the author's family experience.
• Screening recommendations include a one-time abdominal ultrasound for men 65-75 who have smoked and genetic/imaging evaluation for individuals with family history or features of connective tissue disorders, emphasizing the importance of awareness and early detection.