Spanish for Cardiac and Stroke Emergencies: Essential Phrases for Medical Professionals

This guide provides essential phrases, vocabulary, and communication strategies to handle cardiac and stroke emergencies in Spanish, ensuring that patients receive the care they need.

1. Key Vocabulary for Cardiac and Stroke Emergencies

Understanding key terms related to cardiac and stroke events is fundamental. Here are some essential words:

• Infarto – Heart attack
• Derrame cerebral / Accidente cerebrovascular (ACV) – Stroke
• Dolor en el pecho – Chest pain
• Presión arterial alta – High blood pressure
• Desmayo – Fainting
• Latidos irregulares – Irregular heartbeat
• Hormigueo – Tingling
• Paro cardíaco – Cardiac arrest
• Entumecimiento – Numbness
• Dificultad para hablar – Difficulty speaking

2. Recognizing Cardiac Symptoms: Essential Questions

Promptly identifying symptoms is critical in cardiac emergencies. Use these questions to assess the patient’s condition:

1. ¿Siente dolor en el pecho?
   Do you feel chest pain?
2. ¿El dolor se extiende al brazo, cuello o mandíbula?
   Does the pain spread to your arm, neck, or jaw?
3. ¿Tiene dificultad para respirar?
   Do you have difficulty breathing?
4. ¿Siente palpitaciones fuertes o irregulares?
   Do you feel strong or irregular heartbeats?
5. ¿Cuándo comenzó el dolor en el pecho?
   When did the chest pain begin?

3. Recognizing Stroke Symptoms: Key Questions

Time is critical when dealing with strokes. These questions can help identify stroke symptoms quickly:

1. ¿Siente debilidad en un lado del cuerpo?
   Do you feel weakness on one side of your body?
2. ¿Tiene dificultad para hablar o entender?
   Do you have difficulty speaking or understanding?
3. ¿Nota algún cambio en su visión?
   Do you notice any changes in your vision?
4. ¿Tiene entumecimiento o hormigueo en el brazo o la pierna?
   Do you have numbness or tingling in your arm or leg?
5. ¿Cuándo empezaron estos síntomas?
   When did these symptoms start?

4. Providing Immediate Instructions to the Patient

In both cardiac and stroke emergencies, providing clear instructions can help stabilize the patient until further treatment is available:

1. Por favor, no se mueva y respire despacio.
   Please do not move and breathe slowly.
2. Vamos a acostarle para que esté más cómodo/a.
   We are going to lay you down so that you are more comfortable.
3. Mantenga la calma, estamos aquí para ayudarle.
   Stay calm, we are here to help you.
4. Voy a medir su presión arterial ahora.
   I am going to check your blood pressure now.
5. Por favor, dígame si siente algún cambio o empeoramiento.
   Please tell me if you feel any change or if it gets worse.

5. Explaining Diagnostic Procedures

When dealing with a cardiac or stroke emergency, patients may need immediate diagnostic tests. Here’s how to explain them:

1. Vamos a hacerle un electrocardiograma (ECG) para evaluar su corazón.
   We are going to do an electrocardiogram (ECG) to evaluate your heart.
2. Necesitamos hacerle un escáner cerebral para ver qué está pasando.
   We need to do a brain scan to see what is happening.
3. Voy a tomarle una muestra de sangre para analizarla.
   I am going to take a blood sample for analysis.
4. Le colocaremos un monitor para controlar su ritmo cardíaco.
   We will place a monitor to check your heart rate.
5. Este examen nos ayudará a determinar la causa de sus síntomas.
   This test will help us determine the cause of your symptoms.

6. Describing Emergency Procedures

In severe cases, rapid intervention is necessary. Here’s how to explain emergency treatments in Spanish:

1. Vamos a administrarle un medicamento para disolver el coágulo.
   We are going to give you medication to dissolve the clot.
2. Necesitamos realizar una angioplastia para abrir la arteria bloqueada.
   We need to perform an angioplasty to open the blocked artery.
3. Le vamos a dar oxígeno para ayudarle a respirar mejor.
   We are going to give you oxygen to help you breathe better.
4. Vamos a trasladarle a la sala de cuidados intensivos para monitoreo continuo.
   We are going to transfer you to the intensive care unit for continuous monitoring.
5. Es posible que necesite una cirugía de emergencia para su corazón.
   You may need emergency surgery for your heart.

7. Reassuring the Patient and Their Family

Providing comfort and reassurance during these emergencies is crucial to help manage anxiety:

1. Estamos haciendo todo lo posible para estabilizar su condición.
   We are doing everything we can to stabilize your condition.
2. Por favor, confíe en nosotros, estamos aquí para ayudarle.
   Please trust us, we are here to help you.
3. Su familia será informada de su estado.
   Your family will be informed about your condition.
4. Está en buenas manos, tenemos experiencia en tratar este tipo de emergencias.
   You are in good hands; we have experience treating this type of emergency.
5. Si necesita algo, por favor, hágamelo saber.
   If you need anything, please let me know.

8. Follow-Up Care Instructions

Once the patient is stable, clear follow-up instructions are essential for their recovery:

1. Debe tomar estos medicamentos todos los días según las indicaciones.
   You need to take these medications every day as instructed.
2. Programe una cita de seguimiento con su cardiólogo.
   Schedule a follow-up appointment with your cardiologist.
3. Evite el esfuerzo físico durante las próximas semanas.
   Avoid physical exertion for the next few weeks.
4. Debe seguir una dieta baja en sal y grasas para cuidar su corazón.
   You should follow a low-salt, low-fat diet to take care of your heart.
5. Si vuelve a tener dolor en el pecho o dificultad para hablar, busque atención médica de inmediato.
   If you have chest pain or difficulty speaking again, seek medical attention immediately.

Conclusion

Handling cardiac and stroke emergencies in Spanish requires not only medical expertise but also effective communication skills. By mastering these phrases and vocabulary, healthcare professionals can ensure that Spanish-speaking patients receive the care and reassurance they need during critical moments. Remember, clear and compassionate communication can make all the difference in saving lives and providing comfort to patients and their families during some of their most vulnerable moments.