What is an aortic tear? The fatal condition doctors compare to a knife to the heart

Senator Lindsey Graham recently experienced an aortic dissection, a life-threatening condition where there's a tear in the inner wall of the aorta, the main artery carrying blood from the heart. This condition can cause the artery to split, much like a knife to the heart, leading to severe complications or death if not treated immediately. The dissection was linked to the hardening of Graham's arteries, a common consequence of aging and lifestyle factors. This incident highlights the importance of cardiovascular health and the need for regular check-ups to catch such potentially fatal conditions early.