heart failure

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

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

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of heart failure¹

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

My patient was a man in his mid-70s with heart failure who on his 16th night in the hospital spiked a fever.

From Washington Post

It is known to occur more commonly in males than in females, ages 20 to 40, and can result in serious arrhythmias, loss of consciousness, heart failure, and even sudden cardiac death.

From Fortune

Children with the disease, known as Hutchinson-Gilford progeria syndrome, or progeria for short, often die of heart failure, heart attack or stroke as teenagers.

From Science News

Similarly, research has shown weaker grip strength is a strong predictor of cardiac death, death from any cause, and hospital admission for heart failure.

From Popular-Science

Researchers linked sleep-disordered breathing to an increased risk of high blood pressure, heart failure, and stroke.

From MIT Technology Review

New York medical examiner Dr. Elliott Gross instead ruled that he died of heart failure.

From The Daily Beast

By a sad coincidence, one of these heroes, John Michael Doar, died that same day from congestive heart failure.

From The Daily Beast

The patient was finally seen only days ago, on May 16, when they were admitted to the hospital for decompensated heart failure.

From The Daily Beast

Three days later, the 66-year-old Bannock expired of congestive heart failure and complications from diabetes.

From The Daily Beast

It was too late and Mosk was pronounced DOA of heart failure.

From The Daily Beast

Auld Jock had died of heart failure, from pneumonia and worn-out old age.

From Project Gutenberg

Then the Yale yell pealed forth, and Little Eva came near dying in reality from heart failure.

From Project Gutenberg

The protracted excitement has caused several deaths from heart failure, and I heard of two cases of acute mania.

From Project Gutenberg

As Burt said afterward, "I came so near havin' heart failure for a minute that I could see the funeral procession."

From Project Gutenberg

I nearly died of heart failure because I couldnt go in with em.

From Project Gutenberg