Up to a month before a stroke, the body can sometimes give early warning signs — and they may look different in men and women. Here are symptoms you shouldn’t ignore.

Most people think of a stroke as sudden and unexpected, but the body can sometimes give subtle warning signs days or even weeks in advance. These may include brief numbness, moments of slurred speech that quickly resolve, unexplained confusion, or unusual fatigue that doesn’t match your normal routine. Because these symptoms can fade quickly, they’re often overlooked or dismissed.

In men, warning signs are more likely to include classic stroke symptoms such as weakness on one side of the body, facial drooping, or difficulty speaking. In women, symptoms can sometimes appear less typical, such as nausea, shortness of breath, unusual pain, or a strong sense that something is seriously wrong.

Any of these signs should be taken seriously. Remember the FAST rule—Face drooping, Arm weakness, Speech difficulty, Time to call emergency services. Acting quickly can make a critical difference.