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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAortic Dissection + Niece Phone Call?
Last edited Sun Jul 12, 2026, 07:52 PM - Edit history (1)
Lindsay Graham's cause of death is now being confirmed as an aortic dissection.
We also were told that his niece, who was in Baltimore ON EDIT: and driving to visit him, called 911 on his behalf, and made some statements about the situation, like that the door was unlocked for paramedics (it wasn't). ON EDIT: A news story said she was in the vicinity of BWI at the time she received the call.
One would have to conclude that 1) he began to feel the effects of the condition that killed him, and 2) he called his niece to either report this condition or to call 911 (rather than just calling 911), and 3) he communicated to her that he would leave the door unlocked for the paramedics.
These are currently what we're being told are the facts of the case. Feel free to state whether this makes a lot of sense.
Here's my position: an aortic dissection is a catastrophic and sudden event that does not leave you time to make phone calls. It also doesn't leave you time to unlock doors or communicate that you are unlocking a door. I also don't think Lindsay Graham regularly leaves the door to his home unlocked at night.
canetoad
(21,309 posts)But think that's what killed Lucille Ball.
Raven123
(8,097 posts)MarineCombatEngineer
(18,331 posts)yardwork
(70,249 posts)I had time to drive myself to the emergency department. (I don't recommend this.)
People experience things differently.
Attilatheblond
(9,566 posts)Sometimes the tear is big and blood loss massive.
yardwork
(70,249 posts)If it happens to the big aorta - curtains.
Prairie Gates
(8,784 posts)Attilatheblond
(9,566 posts)Sometimes called 'The Widowmaker'.
Bleeds out into body center, slowly depriving brain of O2 until brain shuts off the whole system. There was a bit of time between feeling something very wrong and losing consciousness then brain death. He still had a pulse when EMS arrived and they kept working en route and at the ER, but the brain was not getting the blood and O2, brain already gone and wouldn't restart heart/lungs.
A friend also died that way.
Friend died in Helena, Montana just after the state's 911 system went from local operators to a central location in Billings, ("cost saving"
a couple hundred miles + away. Most people didn't know of the change yet. My friend's wife didn't know she was speaking to someone in Billings. Billings operator didn't know she had someone in Helena on the line, sent her local EMS team to the address given address, but in the wrong city.
His wife blamed herself for EMS not getting to the house 'in time' She did CPR for an hour before Billings 911 realized the mistake, sent call to Helena and that local EMS team finally got to her door. Doctor who did autopsy told her there would have been nothing they could do if he had been on an operating table when it happened (40 years ago). But, of course, she still thought she should have been able to save him.
I know the feeling.
yardwork
(70,249 posts)Sympthsical
(11,373 posts)A cerebral hemorrhage instead of aortic dissection, but similar scenario. She was on the phone with my aunt and said her vision was going out and she felt like she was going to collapse. My aunt said she was calling 911. My grandma said she'd unlock the kitchen door.
She never made it to the door. She fell right in front of it. The paramedics ended up going around the back to get in.
Things happen that fast.
Prairie Gates
(8,784 posts)Locked door and everything! Wow!
LisaL
(48,287 posts)So yes, you are wrong.
It sounds like he called his niece because he had chest pains, then dropped dead before medics even arrived. Which fits with aortic dissection scenario.
"Symptoms
An aortic dissection may feel like a heart attack or another heart condition. Symptoms of aortic dissection may include:
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."
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/aortic-dissection/symptoms-causes/syc-20369496
LisaL
(48,287 posts)It was locked when medics got there.
Prairie Gates
(8,784 posts)Read more carefully.
ON EDIT: As should I (see below)!
Peppertoo
(458 posts)An aortic dissection seems very likely.
And while they come on quickly, they do not have to be instantaneous.
Prairie Gates
(8,784 posts)I am not suggesting anything other than what the coroner is saying.
onenote
(46,502 posts)Who provided the information about where she was and where she was going.
Prairie Gates
(8,784 posts)Misread the part about her being near BWI.
Thanks for the correction!