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

📅 Published: January 23, 2026

🩺 Medical Spanish

pulsación

noun • /[pool-sa-SYON]/

pulse

Example:

Las pulsaciones están rápidas.

The pulse is fast.

🧠 What does pulsación mean?

A 'pulsación' refers to a single beat or throb, specifically the rhythmic expansion of an artery that can be felt with the fingers, caused by the beating of the heart. It is often used in the plural form, 'pulsaciones', to talk about the pulse rate, as in 'pulsaciones por minuto' (beats per minute). Beyond the medical context, 'pulsación' can also mean the act of pressing a key or button, a keystroke, or a rhythmic beat in music.

📚 Extra examples

  • El médico contó las pulsaciones del paciente para evaluar su ritmo cardíaco.
    The doctor counted the patient's heartbeats to evaluate his heart rate.
  • Después de correr, mis pulsaciones estaban muy altas.
    After running, my pulse was very high.
  • Cada pulsación en el teclado se registraba en el documento.
    Each keystroke was recorded in the document.
  • El bajo mantenía una pulsación constante durante toda la canción.
    The bass maintained a constant beat throughout the entire song.

💡 Did You Know?

The word 'pulsación' is directly related to the verb 'pulsar', which means 'to press' or 'to push'. This connection highlights the physical action associated with the word, whether it's the heart pushing blood or a finger pressing a key. The common abbreviation for 'pulsaciones por minuto' (beats per minute) is 'ppm'.

🔁 Synonyms & opposites of "pulsación"

Synonyms: latido, palpitación, golpe, toque

🔍 See more medical spanish words

❓ FAQ

How do you say 'pulse' in Spanish?
The general term for 'pulse' is 'el pulso'. The word 'pulsación' refers to a single beat or pulsation. To talk about pulse rate, you would typically use 'pulsaciones por minuto'.
How do you pronounce 'pulsación' in Spanish?
The pronunciation is pool-sah-SYOHN. The stress falls on the final syllable, '-ción'.
How do you use 'pulsación' in a sentence?
An example is: 'La enfermera anotó las pulsaciones del paciente en la ficha médica.' This means, 'The nurse noted the patient's pulse on the medical chart.'
What is the English translation of 'pulsación'?
The English translation is 'pulsation', 'beat', or 'throb'. When referring to heart rate, it is often translated as 'pulse' or 'heartbeat'.
Does 'pulsación' change for gender or number?
'Pulsación' is a feminine noun. Its plural form is 'pulsaciones'. For example: 'una pulsación' (one beat), 'muchas pulsaciones' (many beats).
Is 'pulsación' common in everyday Spanish?
It is common, particularly in medical, fitness, and technical contexts. In general conversation about one's pulse, the word 'pulso' is slightly more common.
Does 'pulsación' have slang or double meanings?
No, 'pulsación' does not have any common slang or ambiguous double meanings. Its use is quite literal, referring to a beat, throb, or press.
Is 'pulsación' used differently in Spain vs Latin America?
The use of 'pulsación' is consistent across the Spanish-speaking world. There are no significant regional differences in its meaning or application.

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