Hahn Suffered Stroke, His Doctors Report

Confirming what paramedics had first suspected, doctors said Thursday that veteran Los Angeles County Supervisor Kenneth Hahn suffered a stroke last Sunday while attending a dinner. Hahn press aide Dan Wolf, after meeting with Hahn’s doctors at Daniel Freeman Hospital in Inglewood, said the 66-year-old supervisor will begin several weeks of rehabilitation beginning next Monday to regain total use of his left side. Until then, Hahn will remain in the hospital’s intensive-care unit, where he is listed in good condition without apparent mental impairment, Wolf said.

A battery of tests conducted since the incident also showed that Hahn apparently suffered no heart damage as a result of the stroke, Wolf said. In 1975, Hahn underwent double-bypass heart surgery.

Hahn was hospitalized Sunday after his assistant chief deputy, Mas Fukai, noticed that the supervisor had dropped a glass of water and appeared dizzy and disoriented while they were attending a dinner in Gardena. Paramedics who transported him to Daniel Freeman said at the time that the supervisor might have suffered a stroke.

Still Confined to Bed

Wolf said Hahn, who first complained of weakness in his left arm at the dinner, is also experiencing weakness throughout the left side. He has been confined to his bed since being admitted to the hospital and it is unclear whether he can walk without assistance, Wolf added.

He added that Hahn had some difficulty speaking at the beginning of the week but has since regained full use of his facial muscles.

“He is alert and in good spirits and is eager to get back to his job,” said Wolf, adding, however, that he is uncertain when Hahn would be able to return to work. Hahn is one of the five members of the Board of Supervisors, representing an area that includes South-Central Los Angeles, Inglewood, Hawthorne, Culver City, Gardena and Carson.

Hospital officials were not available for comment and referred all inquiries to Hahn’s office. Hahn also was not available for interviews.