Senator Chris Murphy (CT) is recovering at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore after a stroke Oct. 31. “He is awake and alert, and we are optimistic he will make a full recovery,” said Allison Herwitt, his chief of staff.

Reportedly, Murphy felt arm numbness while at his son’s hockey game and was taken to a local hospital. At 53, Murphy is relatively young for a stroke, as statistics have determined that the median age to have a stroke is 71. Survivors can face fatigue, depression and repeat-stroke risk. Whether and when he returns is a medical call; Yale neurologist Adam Jasne said some patients leave the hospital “back to 100 percent normal” while others have lasting deficits.

Murphy’s term runs through January 2031, and he has been mentioned as a 2028 presidential prospect. Other politicians are continuing their terms in office following this same medical emergency: current Senators John Fetterman, Ben Ray Luján and Chris Van Hollen had strokes in 2022. Whether or not Murphy’s personal trauma will affect his support for the stroke community remains uncertain. Previously, Murphy backed Pediatric Stroke Awareness Month resolutions.

As of now, the stroke type and return date are undisclosed.