paro cardiaco
/paɾo kaɾdjako/from spelling rulesmasculine
The English phrase cardiac arrest is translated into Spanish as paro cardiaco.
This noun refers to the cessation of the heartbeat resulting in the loss of effective circulation of the blood.
Meaning: cessation of the heartbeat resulting in the loss of effective circulation of the blood (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, Paro cardiorrespiratorio might be used as a more specific term for cardiac arrest.
How do you pronounce it?
/paɾo kaɾdjako/
Did you know?
- The word paro is also used in several Latin American countries to refer to a 'strike' or a work stoppage, which could cause confusion in a non-medical news report.
- While a doctor might say paro cardiaco, a layperson in a high-stress situation might simply shout se le paró el corazón, meaning 'it stopped on him/her'.
- In certain dialects, if someone says le dio un paro, they might not be talking about a heart attack at all, but rather a sudden fit or seizure.
Examples in context
- ¡Llame a una ambulancia! ¡Hay una persona sufriendo un paro cardíaco!Call an ambulance! There is a person experiencing cardiac arrest!
Example conversation
Two colleagues are discussing a first aid training course.
- ElenaElena, ¿sabes qué hacer en un paro cardiaco?Elena, do you know what to do during a cardiac arrest?
- DanielSí, Daniel, hay que hacer RCP.Yes, Daniel, you have to do CPR.
- ElenaEs vital actuar rápido en un paro cardiaco.It is vital to act quickly during a cardiac arrest.
- DanielExacto, cada segundo cuenta.Exactly, every second counts.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cardiac arrest” translations and entries paro cardiaco, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
