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Connecticut Senator: Chris Murphy Discharged After Stroke

The 53-year-old Democrat leaves Johns Hopkins to begin weeks of rehabilitation following a hemorrhagic stroke in the brain's thalamus.

By Alessia Desai ·

Illustration for: Connecticut Senator: Chris Murphy Discharged After Stroke
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Democratic Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut left the hospital on Friday. He was discharged from Johns Hopkins after a near week-long stay. Murphy will not return to the Senate floor immediately. He plans to spend several weeks at a dedicated rehabilitation center.

The timeline began on Sunday when Murphy attended his son's hockey game. He reported feeling numbness in his arm during the event. Staff rushed him to a local hospital for testing. Doctors discovered a stroke and transferred him to Johns Hopkins for specialized care.

Murphy stated in a public account that he felt something was wrong with his body on the afternoon of the previous Saturday. He called emergency services out of caution. He expressed relief that he sought help quickly. The senator described the experience as scary for him and his family.

Dr. Jose Suarez, the chief of neurosciences critical care at Johns Hopkins, confirmed the diagnosis as a small hemorrhagic stroke. The bleed occurred in the thalamus. The Cleveland Clinic defines the thalamus as a relay station for sensory information located above the brainstem. This area processes inputs from the spinal cord to the brain.

Dr. Suarez noted that Murphy has demonstrated tremendous progress during treatment. Medical staff expect a full recovery based on the current rate of improvement. Murphy said he is taking his recovery seriously. He aims to return to his duties on the quickest timeline possible.

Murphy remains engaged with his team and colleagues remotely. His staff continues to execute legislative priorities and serve constituents. He assured the public that the work of his office will continue uninterrupted while he focuses on his health.

The senator has been viewed as a possible contender for the 2028 White House election. His ability to recover fully and return to a full schedule will influence perceptions of his candidacy. His office will manage legislative responsibilities as he works to regain full functionality.

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