Senator Chris Murphy’s Stroke Highlights the Life‑Saving BE FAST Checklist
Connecticut Senator Chris Murphy’s recent stroke underscores the critical need to recognize BE FAST warning signs.
Whoa! Senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat from Connecticut, suffered a stroke on Saturday and is expected to make a full recovery, his office says.
Murphy, 53, experienced the “A” in the BE FAST acronym—arm weakness—when he felt numbness in his arm at his son’s hockey game, according to a statement from his staff. He acted quickly, fulfilling the “T” for “time,” and sought medical attention right away.
The American Stroke Association says that remembering the six letters of BE FAST can save lives and prevent permanent brain damage.
BE FAST: The Six Warning Signs
B – Balance: Dizziness, trouble walking, or a sudden loss of balance.
E – Eyes: Blurred vision, double vision, or loss of sight in one eye.
F – Face: Ask the person to smile; uneven smile or drooping on one side of the face.
A – Arms: Numbness or weakness in one arm; ask the person to raise both arms—one may drift down.
S – Speech: Trouble talking; slurred or hard‑to‑understand speech, difficulty repeating a simple sentence.
T – Time: Call 911 immediately if any of these symptoms appear.
Other important symptoms include a severe headache, confusion, and numbness on one side of the body.
A stroke occurs when blood flow to or within the brain is interrupted, either by a blocked artery or a burst blood vessel. Deprived of oxygen, brain tissue can be permanently damaged, leading to long‑term disability or death.
Rapid response—getting to the hospital fast—offers the best chance for survival and a full recovery.
Remember: if you or someone nearby shows any of these signs, dial 911 without delay.
