Hours later, shortly after 9 a.m., Ford returned to the hospital with new symptoms. Hospital officials refused to say whether Ford left against medical advice. Sometimes it's hard to tell the difference. A stroke occurs when a blood clot blocks a vessel or artery, or when a blood vessel breaks, interrupting blood flow to an area of the brain. The stroke kills brain cells and the abilities controlled by that area of the brain, like speech, movement and memory are diminished or lost.
Some people recover completely from minor strokes.
Aside from anticoagulant medication, Ford will continue to undergo diagnostic tests at the hospital, Thomas said. Some stroke victims undergo physical therapy in the recovery process, she said, but added Ford will not require any in-patient physical therapy at the hospital. Messages Republican presidential nominee George W. Bush said he visited Ford at the hospital today. Hospital officials have given Mrs. Ford a room next to her husband's so that she can rest between visits with him. President Clinton also spoke with Mrs. Ford by telephone and expressed his concern, White House spokesman Elliot Diringer said.