This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 adjective #5,000 most common 8 min read

cardíaco

Top 5,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips cardíaco in 30 Seconds

Explanation cardíaco in your Level:

At the A1 level, you only need to know that 'cardíaco' refers to the heart. You might see it in simple health contexts or on signs. It is often paired with 'ataque' (attack) to form 'ataque cardíaco'. At this stage, focus on the fact that it ends in 'o' for masculine things and 'a' for feminine things. For example, 'um problema cardíaco' (a heart problem). You don't need to use it often, but you should recognize it when you see it in a pharmacy or a hospital. It is a 'cognate', which means it looks very similar to the English word 'cardiac', making it easy to remember.

At the A2 level, you should be able to use 'cardíaco' in basic descriptions of health. You might say 'Meu avô tem problemas cardíacos' (My grandfather has heart problems). You should also begin to notice it in sports contexts, like 'um jogo cardíaco' (a heart-pounding game). Remember the plural forms: 'cardíacos' and 'cardíacas'. You should also be aware that the adjective usually comes after the noun. This is a good word to use when talking about healthy habits, such as 'exercício cardíaco'.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'cardíaco' more precisely. You should distinguish between 'problemas do coração' (general) and 'insuficiência cardíaca' (medical/formal). You should be comfortable using the word in discussions about health, fitness, and news. You can use it to describe a 'ritmo cardíaco' (heart rate) or a 'cirurgia cardíaca' (heart surgery). You should also understand the metaphorical use in sports or movies to describe something very intense. At this level, pay close attention to the accent mark on the 'í'.

At the B2 level, you should use 'cardíaco' in more complex professional or academic discussions. You might discuss 'débito cardíaco' (cardiac output) or 'frequência cardíaca máxima' (maximum heart rate) in a fitness or medical context. You should be able to read news articles about cardiology without difficulty. You should also understand the nuance that 'cardíaco' can be used as a noun to refer to a person with a heart condition, though 'cardiopata' is more technical. You can use the word in varied sentence structures and with correct agreement in all cases.

At the C1 level, your use of 'cardíaco' should be indistinguishable from a native speaker's. You understand its role in technical medical journals, legal documents regarding health insurance, and high-level sports journalism. You know the subtle difference between 'cardíaco', 'coronário', and 'cardiovascular'. You can use the word in idiomatic expressions effortlessly, such as 'um final de campeonato cardíaco'. Your spelling and pronunciation, including the correct stress on the 'í', are perfect. You can explain the difference between physical and emotional heart issues using this term correctly.

At the C2 level, you have a complete mastery of 'cardíaco'. You can engage in deep scientific discussions about 'tecido muscular cardíaco' or 'arritmias cardíacas complexas'. You understand the historical etymology of the word and how it has evolved in the Portuguese language. You can use it in literature or highly formal speeches. You are also aware of regional variations in how the word might be used in different Lusophone countries, although the medical meaning remains universal. You can use the term creatively in metaphors without losing its clinical precision.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

cardíaco in 30 Seconds

Cardíaco means 'relating to the heart' and is used in medical and formal contexts.
It is a variable adjective: cardíaco (m), cardíaca (f), cardíacos (mp), cardíacas (fp).
Commonly used in phrases like 'ataque cardíaco' and 'ritmo cardíaco'.
Informally used in sports to describe a very tense or exciting situation.

The Portuguese word cardíaco is an adjective that translates directly to 'cardiac' or 'relating to the heart' in English. It is derived from the Greek word 'kardiakós', and it serves primarily as a technical or medical descriptor. In everyday Portuguese, while people often use the word 'coração' (heart) for emotional or general physical contexts, cardíaco is reserved for clinical, biological, or formal descriptions of the organ's function or health status.

Medical Context: It describes diseases, rhythms, or anatomy. For example, 'insuficiência cardíaca' (heart failure) is a common medical term used by doctors.

O paciente apresenta um sopro cardíaco desde o nascimento.

Beyond the hospital, you might hear this word in sports journalism to describe a 'heart-stopping' or 'thrilling' moment, although this is a metaphorical extension of its medical meaning. When a football match is incredibly tense, a commentator might say it was a game 'para cardíacos', implying that only those with a strong heart could withstand the stress.

Metaphorical Use: Used to describe high-stress situations. 'Um final de jogo cardíaco' means a heart-pounding finale.

A vitória nos últimos segundos foi um momento cardíaco para os adeptos.

In terms of grammar, it is a variable adjective, meaning it changes based on gender and number: cardíaco (masculine singular), cardíaca (feminine singular), cardíacos (masculine plural), and cardíacas (feminine plural). Understanding this word is essential for B1 learners because it bridges the gap between basic anatomy and more complex health-related discussions. Whether you are reading a news report about public health or explaining a family history to a doctor in Lisbon or São Paulo, this term is indispensable.

Scientific Precision: Used in biology to describe the muscle tissue: 'tecido cardíaco'.

A frequência cardíaca aumenta durante o exercício físico intenso.

Estes são os principais problemas cardíacos identificados na população idosa.

As válvulas cardíacas são essenciais para o fluxo sanguíneo correto.

Using cardíaco correctly requires attention to noun-adjective agreement and its specific medical collocations. Since it is an adjective, it must match the gender and number of the noun it describes. For instance, 'ritmo' is masculine, so we say 'ritmo cardíaco'. 'Frequência' is feminine, so we say 'frequência cardíaca'.

Masculine Singular: O ataque cardíaco foi súbito. (The heart attack was sudden.)

Ele faz um check-up cardíaco todos os anos.

Feminine Singular: A cirurgia cardíaca demorou cinco horas. (The cardiac surgery took five hours.)

A saúde cardíaca é fundamental para a longevidade.

In plural forms, the rules remain consistent. If you are talking about multiple problems, use 'problemas cardíacos'. If you are referring to multiple diseases, use 'doenças cardíacas'.

Plural Forms: Os exames cardíacos confirmaram a suspeita inicial. (The cardiac exams confirmed the initial suspicion.)

Muitas complicações cardíacas podem ser evitadas com dieta.

It is also important to note that 'cardíaco' can function as a noun when referring to a person with a heart condition. For example, 'Ele é um cardíaco' means 'He is a heart patient'. However, this is more common in clinical settings or when discussing health insurance and risk groups. In most conversational scenarios, sticking to its use as an adjective is safer and more natural.

O hospital tem uma ala especial para cardíacos.

Monitorizar o débito cardíaco é vital na unidade de cuidados intensivos.

You will encounter the word cardíaco in three primary environments: medical settings, news media, and sports commentary. In the medical world, it is the standard term. You will see it on pharmacy labels, in hospital signage ('Unidade Coronária e Cardíaca'), and in health pamphlets. Doctors will use it to discuss 'frequência cardíaca' (heart rate) during a physical exam or when interpreting an 'eletrocardiograma'.

News Media: Journalists use it to report on public health statistics or the health of famous figures. 'O ex-presidente sofreu um enfarte cardíaco'.

O telejornal informou sobre o aumento de problemas cardíacos no inverno.

In sports, specifically football (soccer), the word takes on a dramatic flair. A 'jogo para cardíacos' is a match so exciting and nerve-wracking that it could theoretically cause a heart attack. This is a very common idiom used by commentators in Brazil and Portugal alike. If a game goes to penalties or has a last-minute goal, expect to hear this word.

Sports Commentary: 'Que final cardíaco!' refers to an intense, high-stakes ending to a competition.

Foi uma partida cardíaca, decidida apenas nos penáltis.

Additionally, in fitness centers, you will see 'treino cardíaco' or simply 'cardio' (a shortened informal version). The full adjective is used when discussing the benefits of aerobic exercise for the 'sistema cardíaco'.

Fitness & Health: Used to describe heart-healthy habits. 'Caminhar melhora o condicionamento cardíaco'.

O uso de cafeína pode alterar o ritmo cardíaco de algumas pessoas.

A monitorização cardíaca é essencial durante a anestesia geral.

Ele tem um pacemaker para regular o seu batimento cardíaco.

One of the most frequent errors for English speakers is using 'cardíaco' when they should use 'do coração'. While they both relate to the heart, cardíaco is clinical, whereas 'do coração' is used for emotional or physical descriptions in a non-medical way. For example, 'heart problems' can be 'problemas cardíacos' (formal) or 'problemas do coração' (informal/general). However, 'heartache' (emotional) is never 'dor cardíaca'; it is 'dor no coração' or 'sofrimento'.

The 'Coração' vs. 'Cardíaco' Trap: Mistake: 'Eu tenho um problema cardíaco por causa do meu ex.' (Incorrect for emotional pain). Correct: 'Eu tenho o coração partido'.

Não confunda o termo técnico cardíaco com sentimentos românticos.

Another mistake is the placement of the adjective. In English, we say 'cardiac arrest'. In Portuguese, placing 'cardíaco' before the noun ('cardíaco ataque') is highly unusual and sounds archaic or poetic. Always place it after the noun in standard communication.

Adjective Placement: Mistake: 'O cardíaco ritmo'. Correct: 'O ritmo cardíaco'.

Mantenha o adjetivo cardíaco depois do substantivo para soar natural.

Spelling is another area where students stumble. Note the accent mark on the 'í'. Without the 'acento agudo', the pronunciation changes, and the word becomes incorrect. In Portuguese, stressed syllables are strictly marked when they deviate from standard rules.

Accentuation Error: Mistake: 'cardiaco'. Correct: 'cardíaco'. The 'í' must be stressed.

Escrever cardíaco sem acento é um erro ortográfico comum.

O uso de 'cardíaco' como substantivo plural ('os cardíacos') deve ser limitado a contextos médicos.

While cardíaco is specific to the heart, there are several related terms you should know to expand your medical and descriptive vocabulary. The most common alternative is 'do coração', which is more versatile. If you want to sound more scientific, you might use 'cardiovascular', which includes the heart and the blood vessels.

Cardíaco vs. Cardiovascular: 'Cardíaco' refers only to the heart. 'Cardiovascular' includes the entire circulatory system. 'Exercício cardiovascular' is often called 'cardio' informally.

O sistema cardiovascular é mais abrangente que apenas o músculo cardíaco.

Another related term is 'cardiopata', which is a noun meaning 'someone with a heart disease'. This is even more formal than calling someone 'um cardíaco'. In everyday speech, if someone has a heart condition, they might simply say 'Eu sofro do coração'.

Coronário: Relating to the coronary arteries. Example: 'Doença coronária'.

A insuficiência coronária pode levar a um evento cardíaco.

For metaphorical uses, if you want to avoid 'cardíaco', you can use 'emocionante' (exciting), 'tenso' (tense), or 'de tirar o fôlego' (breathtaking). While a sports game can be 'cardíaco', a movie is more likely to be 'emocionante'.

Summary of Alternatives: Use 'do coração' for general/informal, 'cardiovascular' for system-wide, and 'cardiopata' for the patient noun.

O médico recomendou exames cardíacos e vasculares.

Para evitar problemas cardíacos, é preciso controlar o colesterol.

O transplante cardíaco é uma cirurgia de alta complexidade.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"O paciente apresenta um quadro de insuficiência cardíaca congestiva."

Neutral

"É importante monitorar o ritmo cardíaco durante o exercício."

Informal

"Aquele jogo foi cardíaco, quase morri do coração!"

Child friendly

"O médico vai ouvir o seu coraçãozinho para ver se o ritmo cardíaco está bom."

Slang

"Mano, que final cardíaco foi esse?"

Fun Fact

In ancient times, 'cardíaco' could refer to someone with stomach pain because the heart and the upper stomach (cardia) were thought to be closely linked.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kaɾˈdi.ɐ.ku/

US /kaʁˈdʒi.a.ku/

The stress is on the antepenultimate syllable (car-DÍ-a-co) because it is a proparoxytone.

Rhymes With

maníaco celíaco amoníaco austríaco demoníaco egoníaco paradisíaco simpatesíaco

Common Errors

Pronouncing it like the English 'cardiac' with a hard 'c' at the end.
Forgetting the stress on the 'í'.
Pronouncing 'di' as 'dee' instead of 'djee' (in Brazil).
Misplacing the stress on the 'a' syllable.
Omitting the final 'o' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize due to English similarity (cardiac).

Writing 3/5

Requires remembering the accent mark on the 'í'.

Speaking 3/5

The stress on the third-to-last syllable can be tricky.

Listening 2/5

Very clear and distinct sound in most contexts.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

coração médico problema saúde ritmo

Learn Next

cardiologia arterial pressão veia circulação

Advanced

miocárdio arritmia valvulopatia enfarte cateterismo

Grammar to Know

Adjective Agreement

O ritmo (m) cardíaco vs. A frequência (f) cardíaca.

Proparoxytone Accents

All proparoxytones like 'cardíaco' must have an accent mark.

Adjective Placement

Adjectives usually follow the noun: 'problema cardíaco'.

Pluralization of Adjectives

Add 's' for plural: 'problemas cardíacos'.

Noun-Adjective Conversion

'O cardíaco' can mean 'the heart patient'.

Examples by Level

Ele teve um ataque cardíaco.

He had a heart attack.

Ataque is masculine.

O médico cuida do problema cardíaco.

The doctor takes care of the heart problem.

Problema is masculine singular.

A saúde cardíaca é importante.

Heart health is important.

Saúde is feminine.

Você tem um ritmo cardíaco normal.

You have a normal heart rate.

Ritmo is masculine.

O hospital trata doentes cardíacos.

The hospital treats heart patients.

Cardíacos used as a noun.

Ela faz exercício cardíaco.

She does cardiac exercise.

Exercício is masculine.

O exame cardíaco foi rápido.

The cardiac exam was fast.

Exame is masculine.

Ele é um paciente cardíaco.

He is a heart patient.

Paciente is masculine here.

Meus avós têm problemas cardíacos.

My grandparents have heart problems.

Plural masculine agreement.

A frequência cardíaca dele está alta.

His heart rate is high.

Frequência is feminine.

Foi um jogo de futebol cardíaco.

It was a heart-pounding soccer game.

Metaphorical use.

A cirurgia cardíaca correu bem.

The cardiac surgery went well.

Cirurgia is feminine.

Existem muitas doenças cardíacas.

There are many heart diseases.

Doenças is feminine plural.

O sistema cardíaco é complexo.

The cardiac system is complex.

Sistema is masculine.

Ele precisa de um check-up cardíaco.

He needs a cardiac check-up.

Check-up is masculine.

A parada cardíaca foi revertida.

The cardiac arrest was reversed.

Parada is feminine.

A insuficiência cardíaca requer medicação diária.

Heart failure requires daily medication.

Insuficiência is feminine.

O atleta monitora seu débito cardíaco.

The athlete monitors his cardiac output.

Technical term.

O filme teve um final cardíaco e inesperado.

The movie had a heart-pounding and unexpected ending.

Adjective modifying 'final'.

As válvulas cardíacas podem precisar de reparação.

The heart valves may need repair.

Válvulas is feminine plural.

O sopro cardíaco foi detetado na infância.

The heart murmur was detected in childhood.

Sopro is masculine.

A reabilitação cardíaca ajuda na recuperação.

Cardiac rehabilitation helps in recovery.

Reabilitação is feminine.

Eles estudam a anatomia cardíaca na faculdade.

They study cardiac anatomy in college.

Anatomia is feminine.

O estresse afeta o desempenho cardíaco.

Stress affects cardiac performance.

Desempenho is masculine.

A arritmia cardíaca pode ser assintomática.

Cardiac arrhythmia can be asymptomatic.

Arritmia is feminine.

O músculo cardíaco é conhecido como miocárdio.

The heart muscle is known as the myocardium.

Músculo is masculine.

A monitorização cardíaca contínua é necessária.

Continuous cardiac monitoring is necessary.

Monitorização is feminine.

Houve uma falha no sistema de estimulação cardíaca.

There was a failure in the cardiac pacing system.

Estimulação is feminine.

O cateterismo cardíaco é um procedimento invasivo.

Cardiac catheterization is an invasive procedure.

Cateterismo is masculine.

A genética influencia a predisposição cardíaca.

Genetics influences cardiac predisposition.

Predisposição is feminine.

O choque cardiogénico é uma emergência cardíaca.

Cardiogenic shock is a cardiac emergency.

Emergência is feminine.

A ecografia cardíaca revelou uma dilatação.

The cardiac ultrasound revealed a dilation.

Ecografia is feminine.

A síncope cardíaca deve ser investigada minuciosamente.

Cardiac syncope must be investigated thoroughly.

Síncope is feminine.

O remodelamento cardíaco ocorre após o enfarte.

Cardiac remodeling occurs after the infarction.

Remodelamento is masculine.

A troponina é um marcador de lesão cardíaca.

Troponin is a marker of cardiac injury.

Lesão is feminine.

A reserva cardíaca diminui com o envelhecimento.

Cardiac reserve decreases with aging.

Reserva is feminine.

O transplante cardíaco ortotópico é o mais comum.

Orthotopic heart transplant is the most common.

Transplante is masculine.

A disfunção cardíaca diastólica é frequente.

Diastolic cardiac dysfunction is frequent.

Disfunção is feminine.

A toxicidade cardíaca é um efeito colateral da quimioterapia.

Cardiac toxicity is a side effect of chemotherapy.

Toxicidade is feminine.

O eletrodo de desfibrilhação cardíaca foi posicionado.

The cardiac defibrillation electrode was positioned.

Desfibrilhação is feminine.

A homeostase cardíaca é mantida por mecanismos complexos.

Cardiac homeostasis is maintained by complex mechanisms.

Homeostase is feminine.

O gradiente de pressão cardíaca foi mensurado.

The cardiac pressure gradient was measured.

Gradiente is masculine.

A angiografia cardíaca por tomografia é precisa.

Cardiac CT angiography is precise.

Angiografia is feminine.

A contratilidade cardíaca depende do influxo de cálcio.

Cardiac contractility depends on calcium influx.

Contratilidade is feminine.

A amiloidose cardíaca é uma doença infiltrativa rara.

Cardiac amyloidosis is a rare infiltrative disease.

Amiloidose is feminine.

O índice cardíaco é normalizado pela superfície corporal.

The cardiac index is normalized by body surface area.

Índice is masculine.

A cineangiocoronariografia avalia a anatomia cardíaca.

Cineangiocoronariography evaluates cardiac anatomy.

Very technical term.

A pré-carga e a pós-carga afetam o ciclo cardíaco.

Preload and afterload affect the cardiac cycle.

Ciclo is masculine.

Common Collocations

ataque cardíaco

ritmo cardíaco

frequência cardíaca

parada cardíaca

insuficiência cardíaca

cirurgia cardíaca

sopro cardíaco

músculo cardíaco

problema cardíaco

exame cardíaco

Common Phrases

Jogo para cardíacos

— A very exciting or stressful game. Used in sports.

Este final de jogo é para cardíacos!

Saúde cardíaca

— General term for the well-being of the heart.

Cuide da sua saúde cardíaca.

Doença cardíaca

— Any medical condition affecting the heart.

A doença cardíaca é a principal causa de morte.

Batimento cardíaco

— The sound or pulse of the heart.

Ouvi o batimento cardíaco do feto.

Monitor cardíaco

— A device that tracks heart activity.

O monitor cardíaco apitou.

Acondicionamento cardíaco

— The state of fitness of the heart.

O exercício melhora o acondicionamento cardíaco.

Débito cardíaco

— The volume of blood pumped by the heart per minute.

O débito cardíaco foi medido no hospital.

Transplante cardíaco

— Heart transplant surgery.

Ele está na fila para um transplante cardíaco.

Válvula cardíaca

— The valves within the heart.

Ele trocou uma válvula cardíaca.

Check-up cardíaco

— A routine medical check focusing on the heart.

Faça seu check-up cardíaco anualmente.

Often Confused With

cardíaco vs coronário

Coronário refers only to the heart's arteries, while cardíaco is more general.

cardíaco vs cardíaco (noun)

As a noun, it means the patient; as an adjective, it means 'related to the heart'.

cardíaco vs cordial

Cordial means friendly/polite, unrelated to medical heart issues.

Idioms & Expressions

"Para cardíacos"

— Something extremely tense or thrilling.

Um final de campeonato para cardíacos.

Informal/Journalistic

"Ter o coração na mão"

— To be very anxious (not using 'cardíaco' but related).

Fiquei com o coração na mão durante o jogo.

Informal

"Coração de pedra"

— Someone who is cold or unfeeling.

Ela tem um coração de pedra.

Informal

"De todo o coração"

— Wholeheartedly.

Agradeço-te de todo o coração.

Neutral

"Coração de ouro"

— Someone very kind.

O meu avô tem um coração de ouro.

Informal

"Abrir o coração"

— To open up emotionally.

Ele abriu o coração para a amiga.

Informal

"Com o coração apertado"

— With a heavy heart or feeling anxious.

Despediu-se com o coração apertado.

Informal

"No fundo do coração"

— Deep down.

No fundo do coração, eu sabia a verdade.

Neutral

"Perder o coração"

— To lose heart/courage (less common than 'desanimar').

Não percas o coração agora.

Literary

"Coração que não sente"

— Part of 'O que os olhos não veem, o coração não sente' (What eyes don't see, the heart doesn't feel).

Ele não sabe da traição; coração que não sente.

Proverb

Easily Confused

cardíaco vs Coração

Both mean heart.

Coração is the noun (organ/emotion); cardíaco is the technical adjective.

Meu coração (noun) bate forte; tenho um ritmo cardíaco (adj) rápido.

cardíaco vs Cardiologista

Related to the heart.

Cardiologista is the doctor who treats heart problems.

O cardíaco (patient) foi ao cardiologista (doctor).

cardíaco vs Cardiovascular

Similar medical scope.

Cardiovascular includes the whole circulatory system, not just the heart.

Correr melhora a saúde cardiovascular.

cardíaco vs Enfarte

Often used together.

Enfarte is the event (infarction); cardíaco describes what kind of enfarte it is.

Ele sofreu um enfarte cardíaco.

cardíaco vs Pulmonar

Both are internal organs.

Pulmonar refers to the lungs, not the heart.

Ele tem problemas cardíacos e pulmonares.

Sentence Patterns

Eu tenho [problema] cardíaco.

Eu tenho um problema cardíaco.

O [substantivo] cardíaco é [adjetivo].

O ritmo cardíaco é normal.

A [substantivo] cardíaca foi [verbo].

A cirurgia cardíaca foi cancelada.

Para evitar [problemas] cardíacos, você deve...

Para evitar problemas cardíacos, você deve correr.

O paciente sofre de [condição] cardíaca.

O paciente sofre de insuficiência cardíaca.

Foi um [evento] para cardíacos.

Foi um final de jogo para cardíacos.

Devido à [condição] cardíaca, o médico recomendou...

Devido à arritmia cardíaca, o médico recomendou repouso.

A análise do [parâmetro] cardíaco indicou...

A análise do débito cardíaco indicou normalidade.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

Common in medical, sports, and news domains.

Common Mistakes

O cardíaco ataque → O ataque cardíaco
In Portuguese, adjectives usually follow the noun.
Eu tenho uma dor cardíaca (when sad) → Eu tenho uma dor no coração
Cardíaco is for medical issues, not emotional ones.
Cardiaco (no accent) → Cardíaco
All proparoxytone words in Portuguese require an accent mark.
A ritmo cardíaco → O ritmo cardíaco
Ritmo is a masculine noun, so the article and adjective must be masculine.
Problemas cardíaca → Problemas cardíacos
The adjective must match the plural masculine noun 'problemas'.

Tips

Agreement is Key

Always match the adjective 'cardíaco' with the gender of the noun. 'O problema cardíaco' but 'A doença cardíaca'.

The 'í' Stress

Make sure to emphasize the 'DÍ' sound. If you stress the 'A', people might not understand you.

Technical vs. Casual

Use 'cardíaco' for doctors and 'do coração' for friends.

Sports Talk

Use 'um final cardíaco' when talking about a very close football match to sound like a native.

Don't forget the 'í'

The accent mark is mandatory. 'Cardiaco' without the accent is a misspelling.

Medical Accuracy

In a hospital, 'insuficiência cardíaca' is the precise term for heart failure.

Noun Use

Remember that you can say 'Ele é cardíaco' to mean 'He has a heart condition'.

Shortened Forms

Listen for 'cardio' in fitness contexts; it's the most common shorthand.

Greek Roots

Knowing it comes from 'kardia' helps you link it to English words like 'cardiology'.

Professionalism

Using 'cardíaco' in a presentation about health will make you sound much more advanced.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Cardiac' monitor in a hospital. The Portuguese 'cardíaco' is almost identical, just add the 'o' at the end for the masculine form.

Visual Association

Imagine a red heart with a rhythm line (ECG) going through it. The line spells out the word 'cardíaco'.

Word Web

Heart Medical Rhythm Attack Surgery Doctor Health Exciting

Challenge

Try to say 'ataque cardíaco' three times fast without forgetting the 'í' stress.

Word Origin

From the Latin 'cardiacus', which comes from the Greek 'kardiakós'.

Original meaning: Pertaining to the heart or the stomach (in ancient medicine, the 'cardia' was the upper opening of the stomach).

Indo-European (Italic -> Romance).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using the noun 'um cardíaco' as it can sound clinical or slightly reductive; 'pessoa com problemas de coração' is softer.

English speakers use 'heart' as an adjective (heart attack), but Portuguese requires the specific adjective 'cardíaco'.

Galvão Bueno's 'Haja coração!' Medical dramas like 'Grey's Anatomy' dubbed in Portuguese Health campaigns by the Sociedade Brasileira de Cardiologia

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Hospital/Clinic

Exame cardíaco
Paciente cardíaco
Monitor cardíaco
Sopro cardíaco

Gym/Sports

Treino cardíaco
Frequência cardíaca
Esforço cardíaco
Ritmo cardíaco

News/Media

Ataque cardíaco
Doença cardíaca
Crise cardíaca
Evento cardíaco

Education/Biology

Músculo cardíaco
Sistema cardíaco
Ciclo cardíaco
Anatomia cardíaca

Casual/Metaphorical

Momento cardíaco
Jogo cardíaco
Final cardíaco
Situação cardíaca

Conversation Starters

"Você costuma monitorar sua frequência cardíaca quando faz exercícios?"

"Você já assistiu a um jogo de futebol tão emocionante que foi cardíaco?"

"Alguém na sua família tem algum problema cardíaco conhecido?"

"Você sabe a diferença entre um ataque cardíaco e uma parada cardíaca?"

"Qual é a melhor forma de manter uma boa saúde cardíaca na sua opinião?"

Journal Prompts

Descreva um momento da sua vida que você consideraria 'cardíaco' devido à emoção.

Escreva sobre a importância de fazer um check-up cardíaco regularmente.

Como você se sente quando sua frequência cardíaca aumenta durante uma situação de estresse?

Reflita sobre como a dieta influencia a saúde cardíaca a longo prazo.

Imagine que você é um médico explicando um problema cardíaco simples para um paciente.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, 'cardíaco' is medical or technical. For love, use 'do coração' or 'emocional'. For example, 'problemas do coração' can mean love troubles, but 'problemas cardíacos' always means medical issues.

In common speech, they are used as synonyms. Technically, 'ataque cardíaco' is a general term for the heart stopping or failing, while 'enfarte' (or infarto) specifically refers to tissue death due to lack of blood.

Yes, the word is identical in meaning and usage in all Portuguese-speaking countries, although the pronunciation of the 'di' and 'r' will vary.

You can say 'frequência cardíaca' (formal/medical) or 'batimentos cardíacos' (more common/neutral).

It depends on the noun. Use 'cardíaco' for masculine nouns (ritmo, ataque) and 'cardíaca' for feminine nouns (parada, cirurgia).

Yes, 'um cardíaco' is a person who has a heart condition. For example: 'Ele é cardíaco, não pode levar sustos'.

Because it is a proparoxytone word (the stress is on the third-to-last syllable). In Portuguese, all words with this stress pattern must have a written accent.

It is a popular expression in sports meaning a game is so exciting it might give someone a heart attack.

Yes, but 'exercício cardiovascular' or just 'cardio' is more common in a gym setting.

The plural is 'cardíacos' for masculine and 'cardíacas' for feminine.