Murphy felt arm numbness at hockey game, sought care quickly

Sen. Chris Murphy suffered a stroke while attending his son's hockey game on Saturday. His office reported that his prognosis is excellent.

The incident involved arm weakness, a specific marker in the BE FAST screening tool recommended by the American Stroke Association. Murphy felt numbness in his arm during the game. His staff noted he acted quickly to receive medical attention, a factor cited in the association's guidelines for preventing permanent brain damage.

The BE FAST acronym lists six indicators for identifying a stroke. Balance issues, such as dizziness or trouble walking, form the first sign. Eye changes, including blurred or double vision, appear second. Face drooping is the third, where an uneven smile may indicate numbness on one side of the face. Arm weakness is the fourth, matching Murphy's symptom. Speech difficulty is the fifth, characterized by slurred or hard-to-understand words. Time to call 911 is the final step. The American Heart Association states that rapid medical response improves survival rates and reduces long-term effects.

A stroke occurs when blood flow to or within the brain is interrupted. This happens if an artery becomes blocked or a blood vessel bursts. Brain tissue deprived of oxygen can sustain permanent damage, leading to long-term disability or death. Other symptoms include a severe headache, confusion, and numbness on one side of the body.

Stroke remains the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. The American Heart Association reported that the condition killed more than 162,000 people in 2023.