cardíaco
/kar-DEE-ah-koh/
cardiac
The adjective cardíaco means 'cardiac', or related to the heart.
📝 In Action
El paciente sufrió un paro cardíaco.
B1The patient suffered a cardiac arrest (a heart stoppage).
Necesitamos revisar su historial cardíaco.
B2We need to review your heart history.
La enfermedad cardíaca es muy común en adultos mayores.
B1Heart disease is very common in older adults.
💡 Grammar Points
Gender Agreement
Like most Spanish adjectives, 'cardíaco' must match the noun it describes. For a feminine noun like 'enfermedad' (disease), you must say 'enfermedad cardíaca'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal vs. Informal
'Cardíaco' is the formal, medical way to talk about the heart, while 'del corazón' is a more general or poetic way.
As a noun, cardíaco refers to a heart patient—a person with a heart condition.
📝 In Action
La doctora dijo que ese cardíaco necesita más descanso.
B2The doctor said that heart patient needs more rest.
Ella es una cardíaca que lleva años en tratamiento.
C1She is a heart patient who has been in treatment for years.
💡 Grammar Points
Noun Use
When used as a noun, 'cardíaco' is usually a shortened way of saying 'paciente cardíaco' (cardiac patient). Remember to change the ending: 'el cardíaco' (male) or 'la cardíaca' (female).
⭐ Usage Tips
Clarity in Conversation
While common in hospitals, using the full phrase 'paciente cardíaco' is usually clearer and more respectful in general conversation.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: cardíaco
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses the feminine form of 'cardíaco'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'cardíaco' a permanent condition or a temporary event?
'Cardíaco' is an adjective that describes something related to the heart. It can describe a one-time event (e.g., 'paro cardíaco' - cardiac arrest) or a long-term problem (e.g., 'enfermedad cardíaca' - heart disease).