Connecticut Senator Leaves Hospital After Small Brain Bleed
Chris Murphy, 53, will undergo weeks of rehab after a hemorrhagic stroke that struck him at a hockey game.
By Ivan Mori ·
U.S. Senator Chris Murphy has left Johns Hopkins Hospital following the discovery of a small bleed in his brain. The 53-year-old Democrat was admitted after a 911 call placed on Saturday afternoon. He is now transitioning to a rehabilitation center for several weeks of treatment.
The stroke occurred while Murphy was at his son's hockey game. Allison Herwitt, the senator's chief of staff, reported on Sunday that Murphy experienced numbness in his arm. He described the moment as scary for him and his family. He thanked supporters for their messages of support over the past few days.
Dr. Jose Suarez, the chief of neurosciences critical care at Johns Hopkins, confirmed the diagnosis of a small hemorrhagic stroke. Suarez stated that Murphy has shown tremendous progress. The medical team expects a full recovery following his rehabilitation period.
Murphy said he called 911 out of an abundance of caution when he felt something was wrong with his body. He expressed gratitude for the prompt medical response. The doctors identified the bleed in the thalamus region of the brain. Murphy stated that he is staying engaged with his team remotely to keep his office operational.
The senator's staff continues to handle legislative priorities and constituent services. Murphy said he wants to take his recovery seriously to return to work on the quickest timeline possible. He expressed appreciation for the doctors and staff who cared for him and his family at the hospital. He also asked for continued respect for his family's privacy during this time.
Murphy is the fourth U.S. senator to suffer a stroke in recent years. In 2022, New Mexico Democrat Ben Ray Lujan and Pennsylvania Democrat John Fetterman both suffered strokes. Maryland Democrat Chris Van Hollen also suffered a minor stroke that same year. Fetterman attributed his condition to a blood clot triggered by atrial fibrillation.
Before his hospitalization, Murphy was a vocal critic of President Donald Trump's administration regarding the Iran War. He recently traveled overseas to inspect war damage firsthand. He claimed the administration is covering up the extent of the destruction. He said he was blocked from seeing a key American air base in the Middle East during the trip.
In a recent briefing on potential military plans, Murphy expressed deep worries about U.S. operations. He called the plan insane and warned it would lead to devastating escalation. He said the strategy would likely destroy the commitment to the rule of law. His return to full duties is expected to coincide with ongoing debates on the conflict.
Neurologists in the Hartford region noted a rise in strokes among people under age 54. They cited increased risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, atrial fibrillation, diabetes, and obesity. A study released last month in the American Academy of Neurology found that strokes among adults aged 20 to 54 nearly doubled over three decades.
Stroke remains the fifth leading cause of death in the United States. The American Medical Association reports 795,000 cases annually. It is a major cause of long-term disability. In Connecticut, hospital data from 29 stroke centers recorded 8,914 stroke or transient ischemic attack incidents in 2025.
