'Can happen to anybody.' CT medical experts weigh-in following Sen. Chris Murphy's sudden stroke

It's not every day that you see a sitting senator have a medical emergency. Dr. Jeremy Wells was shocked when he first heard the news. The second thought was, I'm happy he got to the hospital as soon as he did. Murphy was rushed to the hospital Saturday after he felt numbness in his arm while at his son's hockey game. Wells is stroke director of St. Vincent's Comprehensive Stroke Center, one of just three comprehensive stroke centers in Connecticut. He says there's a lot of misconception about what stroke looks like. A lot of people can recognize one side of their body completely being immobile. But some more subtle signs of stroke people don't always recognize. Wells says people should use the acronym BE FAST as a way to spot symptoms. B for balance changes. E for eyes or vision changes. F for one side of the face isn't moving as well as the other. A for arm weakness or numbness. S for speech changes, slurred speech, or inability to get your words out. And T, which Wells says is the most important, time to call 911 and get to the hospital as soon as you can. I have not talked to Chris, but I certainly have, you know, talked to folks who know him pretty well, and he's getting better every day. As far as Senator Murphy, I'm hoping for a speedy full recovery for him, and for the population here at Fairfield, I want him to know, be fast. If you recognize stroke symptoms, don't sleep on it, don't wait for later, get to the hospital as soon as you can. Murphy's camp says the 53-year-old is expected to make a full recovery. I'm Justin DeVellis, News 12.