Murphy's sudden arm numbness led to rapid stroke treatment

Sen. Chris Murphy suffered a stroke on Saturday while attending a hockey game for his son.

The 53-year-old Democrat from Connecticut felt numbness in one arm, a symptom identified by the American Stroke Association as part of its BE FAST warning system.

Murphy's staff said he sought medical attention immediately after noticing the weakness.

His office reported that his prognosis is excellent.

The American Stroke Association uses the acronym BE FAST to help the public identify stroke symptoms early.

The letter B stands for balance loss, which includes dizziness or trouble walking. E refers to eye changes, such as blurred or double vision. F indicates face drooping, where one side of the face may feel numb or smile unevenly.

A represents arm weakness, the symptom Murphy experienced. S covers speech difficulty, including slurred words or trouble repeating a simple sentence. T reminds people to call 911 as soon as possible.

Medical professionals note that rapid treatment gives patients the best chance for survival and full recovery.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to the brain is interrupted by a blocked artery or a burst blood vessel.

Brain tissue deprived of oxygen can suffer permanent damage, leading to long-term disability or death.

Other signs of a stroke include a severe headache, confusion, and numbness on one side of the body.

According to the American Heart Association, stroke is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, killing more than 162,000 people in 2023.