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cardíaco means cardiac — a common term in Medical Spanish. Learn how it's used in a real-world example.

📅 Published: December 2, 2025

🩺 Medical Spanish

cardíaco

adjective • /[car-DYA-co]/

cardiac

Example:

Fue trasladado por un evento cardíaco.

He was brought in for a cardiac event.

🧠 What does cardíaco mean?

The adjective 'cardíaco' (or 'cardíaca' for feminine nouns) means relating to the heart. It is a formal, medical, and scientific term used to describe conditions, procedures, or anatomical parts associated with the heart. The accent mark on the 'i' is crucial for correct pronunciation and spelling, indicating that the stress falls on that syllable.

📚 Extra examples

  • El paciente sufrió un paro cardíaco repentino.
    The patient suffered a sudden cardiac arrest.
  • La cirugía cardíaca es una especialidad médica muy compleja.
    Cardiac surgery is a very complex medical specialty.
  • El ejercicio regular ayuda a mantener un ritmo cardíaco saludable.
    Regular exercise helps to maintain a healthy cardiac rhythm.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'cardíaco' comes from the Greek 'kardiakós' (καρδιακός), which itself derives from 'kardía' (καρδία), meaning 'heart'. This ancient root is shared with many English words, such as cardiology and electrocardiogram.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "cardíaco"

Synonyms: relativo al corazón, coronario
Opposites: As 'cardíaco' refers to a specific body part (the heart), it does not have a direct opposite.

🔍 See more medical spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'cardiac' in Spanish?
The Spanish word for 'cardiac' is 'cardíaco'.
How do you pronounce 'cardíaco' in Spanish?
The word 'cardíaco' is pronounced kar-DEE-ah-ko. The stress falls on the 'dí' syllable, as indicated by the accent mark.
How do you use 'cardíaco' in a sentence?
To use 'cardíaco' in a sentence, you would say: 'El médico recomendó un monitor cardíaco' (The doctor recommended a cardiac monitor).
What is the English translation of 'cardíaco'?
The English translation of 'cardíaco' is 'cardiac'.
Does 'cardíaco' change for gender or number?
Yes, as an adjective, it must agree with the noun it modifies. The forms are: 'cardíaco' (masculine singular), 'cardíaca' (feminine singular), 'cardíacos' (masculine plural), and 'cardíacas' (feminine plural).
Is 'cardíaco' common in everyday Spanish?
While 'cardíaco' is standard in medical and scientific contexts, it is less frequent in casual conversation. People might more commonly say 'problemas del corazón' (heart problems) instead of 'problemas cardíacos'.
Does 'cardíaco' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'cardíaco' is a technical term and does not have any common slang or figurative meanings. Its use is restricted to its literal, medical sense.
Is 'cardíaco' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The term 'cardíaco' is used consistently across all Spanish-speaking regions. There are no significant differences in its meaning or usage between Spain and Latin America.

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