Credit: Ray Tamarra/Getty Images.

Frankie Muniz is recovering after having a "mini stroke." On Tuesday, the "Malcolm in the Middle Star" tweeted, "I was in the hospital last Friday. I suffered a 'Mini Stroke', which was not fun at all."

The 26-year-old added, "Have to start taking care of my body! Getting old!"

He spoke to "Good Morning America" about the surreal experience. "I couldn't say words," he said. "I thought I was saying them! And, my fiance was looking at me like I was speaking a foreign language."

What exactly are mini strokes? They're tiny lapses in blood flow to the brain also known as TIAs, or transient ischemic attacks.

Mini strokes can result from blood clots or from narrowed or injured vessels that supply blood to the brain. The resulting stroke-like symptoms typically resolve after an hour or two.

While they're not fatal, a 2011 study by Australian researchers found they can shorten your life. They also boost the risk of a full blown stroke.

Muniz put his acting career on hold shortly after "Malcolm in the Middle" ended in 2006 to focus on race car driving and music. He had a cameo in an episode of ABC's "Don't Trust the B-- in Apartment 23? earlier this year.

Click here to learn more about mini strokes.