Senator Lindsey Graham Dies at 71 Following ‘Brief and Sudden Illness’

• Sen. Lindsey Graham died Saturday at age 71 after a “brief and sudden illness,” according to his office.
• Reports indicate emergency responders were called to Graham’s home during a medical emergency involving cardiac arrest.
• Officials have not confirmed Graham’s cause of death.

U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham, a Republican from South Carolina, has died at age 71.

In a statement released Sunday, Graham’s office said:

“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of United States Senator Lindsey Graham. Senator Graham passed away peacefully Saturday evening following a brief and sudden illness. We ask that you keep his family, friends, and staff in your thoughts during this difficult time and respect their privacy.”

The statement did not identify a specific cause of death.

NBC News further reported that emergency responders were dispatched to Graham’s Washington, D.C., residence Saturday night during a medical emergency that involved cardiac arrest, citing police dispatch audio the outlet obtained.

The Wall Street Journal, which independently reviewed the dispatch audio, reported that responders were initially dispatched for chest pains before the incident escalated to cardiac arrest.

According to the dispatch audio, emergency crews forced entry into the home before beginning CPR.

Officials have not confirmed Graham’s cause of death.

Graham has represented South Carolina in the U.S. Senate since 2003.

How cardiac arrest is different from a heart attack

The reports have prompted questions about what cardiac arrest is and how it differs from a heart attack.

Cardiac arrest occurs when the heart suddenly stops beating effectively, preventing blood from circulating to the brain and other organs.

It differs from a heart attack, which occurs when blood flow to the heart muscle is blocked. Although a heart attack can sometimes lead to cardiac arrest, the two conditions are not the same.

Editor’s note: This is a developing story. Healthline will update this article as additional information becomes available.