Spanish vocabulary · Intermediate
How to Say Heart Attack in Spanish: Infarto
Infarto · noun (masculine) · een-FAHR-toh
Heart attack in Spanish is infarto, or more descriptively ataque al corazón, referring to myocardial infarction.
Infarto is een-FAHR-toh, three syllables with the stress on FAHR.
Mi abuelo sufrió un infarto el año pasado pero se recuperó bien.
My grandfather had a heart attack last year but recovered well.
Heart Attack in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for heart attack, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| infarto | heart attack | een-FAHR-toh | Default, widely understood |
| ataque al corazón | heart attack | descriptive, understood everywhere | |
| infarto de miocardio | heart attack | formal medical terminology |
How Native Speakers Use Infarto
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Emergency situation
¡Llamen a una ambulancia! Creo que está teniendo un infarto.
Call an ambulance! I think he's having a heart attack.
Urgent medical scenario.
Figurative exaggeration
Casi me da un infarto cuando vi la cuenta del restaurante.
I nearly had a heart attack when I saw the restaurant bill.
Common figurative usage for shock.
Medical discussion
El infarto de miocardio es la principal causa de muerte en este país.
Myocardial infarction is the leading cause of death in this country.
Formal medical register.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Infarto
Wrong preposition
Incorrect: Tuvo un ataque de corazón.
Correct: Tuvo un ataque al corazón.
The correct preposition is al (a + el), not de.
Gender confusion
Incorrect: Una infarto grave.
Correct: Un infarto grave.
Infarto is masculine and takes the article un.
Lock in Heart Attack Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Infarto used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using infarto in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Mi abuelo sufrió un infarto el año pasado pero se recuperó bien. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Heart Attack in Spanish
- How do you say heart attack in Spanish?
- The most common term is infarto (een-FAHR-toh), used in both everyday conversation and medical settings across all Spanish-speaking regions.
- Is ataque al corazón correct?
- Ataque al corazón is perfectly valid and widely understood, though infarto is more concise and more frequently used by native speakers.
- Can infarto be used figuratively?
- Spanish speakers frequently use infarto figuratively to express extreme shock or surprise, much like saying I nearly had a heart attack in English.