Sen. Chris Murphy Discharged From Hospital After Stroke

Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., was discharged Friday from Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore after suffering a hemorrhagic stroke last weekend, according to NBC News. Murphy's office said the 53-year-old will miss several weeks of Senate votes while he undergoes rehabilitation.

What happened to Sen. Chris Murphy

Murphy called 911 last Saturday afternoon after he "felt something was not right with my body," he said in a written statement released through his office and reported by NBC News. He was diagnosed with what his doctor described as a "small hemorrhagic stroke," involving a small bleed in the thalamus region of the brain.

"I was diagnosed with a small bleed in the thalamus region of my brain," Murphy said, calling the episode "a scary experience for me and my family."

He was treated at Johns Hopkins Hospital and discharged Friday, Nov. 6, after several days of inpatient care.

What Murphy's office says about his recovery timeline

Murphy said he will spend "several weeks at a rehabilitation center" following his hospital discharge. He said he intends to remain involved in Senate business during that stretch.

"My staff continues to carry out our legislative priorities, serve constituents, and ensure the work of my office continues uninterrupted," Murphy said, according to NBC News.

Dr. Jose Suarez, Johns Hopkins' chief of neurosciences critical care, said in a statement provided by the senator's office that Murphy "has shown tremendous progress, and at the current rate of improvement, we expect that he will make a full recovery following rehabilitation," NBC News reported.

How serious is a hemorrhagic stroke

A hemorrhagic stroke occurs when a blood vessel in the brain ruptures and bleeds, according to the Cleveland Clinic as cited by NBC News. Symptoms can include headaches, dizziness, trouble understanding or speaking, one-sided weakness, neck stiffness and fainting. NBC News reported that it remains unclear what led to Murphy's stroke.

The thalamus, where Murphy's doctor said the bleed occurred, sits deep in the brain and relays sensory and motor signals to the cortex. Bleeds in that region can affect sensation, movement and alertness depending on size and location, though neither Murphy's office nor his doctor detailed specific after-effects in the statements provided to NBC News.

How the stroke affects Senate votes and Murphy's duties

Murphy's absence for "several weeks" will keep him off the Senate floor during that period, his office said. With Senate business often decided by narrow margins, extended absences by individual senators can affect scheduling and vote counts, though Murphy's office did not specify which measures his absence might influence.

Murphy, first elected to the Senate in 2012, has built a national profile on gun policy and foreign affairs. His office said staff would continue constituent services and legislative work while he recovers, and that Murphy planned to stay engaged with his team remotely.

What is a hemorrhagic stroke

Hemorrhagic stroke: A stroke caused by a ruptured blood vessel bleeding into or around the brain, as opposed to an ischemic stroke, which results from a blocked artery. The Cleveland Clinic, cited by NBC News, lists headaches, dizziness, speech difficulty, one-sided weakness, neck stiffness and fainting among common symptoms.

Thalamus: A structure located near the center of the brain that relays sensory and motor information. Murphy's doctor identified the bleed as occurring in this region, according to the senator's statement.

Rehabilitation center: A facility providing therapy — often physical, occupational or speech therapy — for patients recovering from strokes or similar injuries. Murphy's office said he will spend several weeks at such a facility before returning to full Senate duties.

Murphy's office has not released a specific date for his return to the Capitol. NBC News reported that his doctor expects a full recovery following rehabilitation, based on the senator's progress to date.

For related coverage of Washington personnel moves, HTT News has reported on Trump naming Stephen Miller as chief of staff, replacing Susie Wiles.