Question 1

How do you say "vitals" in Spanish?

Accepted Answer

Vitals are "los signos vitales." To tell a patient you are about to take them, say "Voy a tomarle los signos vitales." Staff often shorten it to "los vitales" among themselves, but use the full phrase with patients.

Question 2

How do you say "blood pressure" in Spanish?

Accepted Answer

Blood pressure is "la presión arterial" or simply "la presión." High blood pressure is "la presión alta" or "hipertensión," and low blood pressure is "la presión baja" or "hipotensión."

Question 3

How do you tell a patient their vital signs in Spanish?

Accepted Answer

Use the formal "usted" form. For example: "Su presión arterial es 130 sobre 80" (Your blood pressure is 130 over 80), "Su frecuencia cardíaca está normal" (Your heart rate is normal), or "Tiene fiebre" (You have a fever).

English	Spanish	Audio
vital signs	los signos vitales
blood pressure	la presión arterial
high blood pressure	la presión alta / hipertensión
low blood pressure	la presión baja / hipotensión
heart rate	la frecuencia cardíaca
pulse	el pulso
temperature	la temperatura
fever	la fiebre
respiratory rate	la frecuencia respiratoria
breathing	la respiración
oxygen saturation	la saturación de oxígeno
weight	el peso
height	la estatura / la altura
pain scale (1-10)	la escala de dolor (del 1 al 10)

Vitals in Spanish: Vital Signs Vocabulary for Clinicians

Using these terms with patients

Go beyond vocabulary

Frequently Asked Questions