heart failure

American  

noun

1. a condition in which the heart fatally ceases to function.

2. Also called congestive heart failure.  a condition in which the heart fails to pump adequate amounts of blood to the tissues, resulting in accumulation of blood returning to the heart from the veins, and often accompanied by distension of the ventricles, edema, and shortness of breath.

---

heart failure British  

noun

1. a condition in which the heart is unable to pump an adequate amount of blood to the tissues, usually resulting in breathlessness, swollen ankles, etc

2. sudden and permanent cessation of the heartbeat, resulting in death

---

heart failure Scientific  

1. An acute or chronic inability of the heart to maintain adequate blood circulation to the peripheral tissues and the lungs, usually characterized by fatigue, edema, and shortness of breath. Heart failure has many causes, including coronary artery disease, hypertension, and cardiomyopathy.

2. Also called congestive heart failure

---

Etymology

Origin of heart failure

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

"This was still a relatively young sample -- everyone was under 65 at last follow-up -- and stroke and heart failure tend to develop later in life," Freedman explained.

From Science Daily

The study found that people whose cystatin C results showed kidney filtration at least 30% lower than their creatinine results faced significantly higher risks of death, heart disease, and heart failure.

From Science Daily

"Our findings can help to identify patients at risk for heart failure earlier, enabling earlier treatment and improved outcomes."

From Science Daily

When these issues occur together, they raise the risk of heart attack, stroke and heart failure far more than any single condition on its own.

From Science Daily

He helps to run a "hospital-at-home" service, which provides specialist hospital-level care to patients with frailty and conditions such as heart failure and respiratory illness.

From BBC