heart block

American  

noun

Pathology.

1. a defect in the electrical impulses of the heart resulting in any of various arrhythmias or irregularities in the heartbeat.

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heart block British  

noun

1. Also called: Adams-Stokes syndrome.   atrioventricular block.  impaired conduction or blocking of the impulse that regulates the heartbeat, resulting in a lack of coordination between the beating of the atria and the ventricles

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Etymology

Origin of heart block

First recorded in 1900–05

Example Sentences

But later analysis concluded the ECG identified a complete heart block, also known as a third-degree heart block, the most serious kind.

From BBC • Jun. 5, 2024

After a week of relentless media queries, doctors revealed to the public what Netanyahu, 73, had kept hidden for 20 years: a chronic, generally asymptomatic but potentially fatal conduction disorder or heart block.

From Slate • Jul. 31, 2023

The electrical signals that trigger a heartbeat begin in the top of the heart, but during heart block they have trouble reaching the heart’s pumping chambers at the bottom.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 24, 2023

Not long before, he had been diagnosed with a heart block, but he declined the doctor’s admonitions to have a pacemaker installed.

From The Guardian • Jul. 3, 2017

The number of ventricular contractions was increased, but not enough to indicate the complete removal of the heart block.

From Disturbances of the Heart by Osborne, Oliver T. (Oliver Thomas)