Sen. Chris Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut, speaks to reporters March 2026, in Washington. Murphy suffered a stroke on Saturday and is expected to recover.
Allison Robbert/AP
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Allison Robbert/AP
Senator Chris Murphy, Democrat of Connecticut, suffered a stroke on Saturday. His prognosis is excellent, according to his office. Her case illustrates the importance of knowing the warning signs of a stroke.
The American Stroke Association says following the six letters of the BE FAST acronym can help save stroke victims and prevent permanent brain damage.
Murphy, 53, had the “A” for “arm weakness” — he felt numbness in his arm while attending his son’s hockey game, according to a statement from his team. And they said he acted quickly to get treatment – that’s the “T” for “time.”
Be seen by healthcare professionals as soon as possible – be quick! – gives people the best chance to survive and make a full recovery.
Here are the six signs of stroke detection in the acronym BE FAST, according to the American Stroke Association:
B – Loss of BALANCE
Dizziness, difficulty walking, or a sudden loss of balance are all signs that a stroke may be occurring.
E – EYE Modifications
Does the person have vision problems? Blurred vision, double vision, or loss of sight in one eye are important symptoms.
F – Drooping FACE
Ask the person to smile. Is their smile uneven? Numbness or drooping on one side of the face is a symptom.
A – ARM weakness
Numbness in one arm, like Murphy’s, is a symptom. Weakness too. Ask the person to raise both arms. Does an arm go down?
S – difficulty SPEECH
Difficulty speaking is another common symptom. Can the person repeat a simple sentence? Is their speech difficult or difficult to understand?
T – TIME to call 911
If you or someone you are with has these symptoms, call 911 as soon as possible. Receiving prompt care is very important for survival and to minimize long-term effects.
A a stroke occurs when blood flow to or into the brain is interrupted. This can happen when an artery is blocked or a blood vessel in the brain bursts. Brain tissue deprived of oxygen can be permanently damaged, leading to long-term disability or even death.
Other important symptoms of a stroke are severe headache, confusion, and numbness on one side of the body.
The stroke is the 4th cause of death in the United States, killing more than 162,000 people in 2023, according to the American Heart Association.
Gn Health
