The Facts:
It is very easy to claim that a vaccine caused someone’s death without any proof. In this case, Lindsey Graham got a vaccine at some point in the past and later had an aortic dissection, which is a tear in the wall of the aorta, the body’s largest blood vessel, which carries blood from the heart to the rest of the body.
But there are some major problems with saying the vaccine caused it. If he received a COVID-19 booster shot at all, it was likely almost a year earlier, when the updated vaccine became available in August. Also, aortic dissections happen most often in men over 60 years old.
The medical examiner, the doctor who investigates causes of death, found that the aortic dissection was caused by arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease. This disease happens when fatty deposits, called plaque, build up inside the arteries over many years. The plaque makes the arteries hard and stiff, which can weaken the wall of the aorta and increase the risk of a tear.
Disclaimer
Science is always evolving and our understanding of these topics may have evolved too since this was originally posted. Be sure to check out our most recent posts and browse the latest Just the Facts Topics for the latest.
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