The District of Columbia's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Sunday released preliminary findings indicating Sen.Lindsey Graham suffered an aortic dissection due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease before his death.The medical examiner emphasized that the findings are not final and that Graham's death certificate will remain pending while toxicological and microscopic testing is completed."The preliminary examination findings were: Aortic Dissection due to Arteriosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease," the medical examiner's office said in a statement.SEN.
LINDSEY GRAHAM DEAD AT 71 AFTER 'BRIEF AND SUDDEN' ILLNESS, OFFICE SAYSSen.Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks to reporters after a briefing by Trump administration officials on U.S.
strikes on Iran at the U.S.Capitol in Washington, D.C., on March 3, 2026.
(Nathan Posner/Anadolu)The office emphasized that the findings are preliminary and that Graham's death certificate remains pending.Officials said toxicological and microscopic testing must be completed before the death certificate is updated to reflect the cause and manner of death.An aortic dissection is a tear in the inner layer of the aorta, the body's largest artery, that allows blood to flow between the layers of the vessel wall, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The condition is considered a life-threatening medical emergency that can lead to severe internal bleeding or organ damage.Arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease refers to the buildup of plaque inside the arteries, which can restrict blood flow and increase the risk of serious heart and vascular complications.LINDSEY GRAHAM, SOUTH CAROLINA SENATOR WHO ROSE FROM SMALL-TOWN ROOTS TO GOP POWER BROKER, DIES AT 71Sen.Lindsey Graham, Member of the US Senate, speaks to the people during the demonstration for human rights in Iran at Theresienwiese during the 62nd Munich Security Conference on February 14, 2026 in Munich, Germany.
(Hannes Magerstaedt/Getty Images)The release of the preliminary findings...