Most people think strokes happen suddenly, without wa:rning. But doctors say the body often whispers before it screams.

In many cases, warning signs can appear days or even weeks before a major stroke happens. The scary part? Many people ignore them because the symptoms seem small, temporary, or unrelated.

Even more surprising: men and women often experience stroke symptoms differently.

Here’s what you should never ignore.

WHAT IS A “MINI-STROKE”?

A mini-stroke, also called a TIA (Transient Ischemic Attack), happens when blood flow to the brain is briefly blocked.

The symptoms may disappear within minutes or hours, but it is still a medical emergency.

Many major strokes are preceded by a mini-stroke within days or weeks.