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.

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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

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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

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Etymology

Origin of heart failure

First recorded in 1890–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

heart failure

Even so, tea consumption has been associated with reduced risks of atrial fibrillation, heart failure and stroke, similar to caffeinated coffee.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 22, 2026

The Basel-based group is facing the expiry of patents for a number of its drugs, including Entresto, a flagship treatment for heart failure.

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

The study also showed that finerenone reduced the likelihood of serious health complications, including major kidney events, hospitalization for heart failure, and death from cardiovascular disease.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 16, 2026

Third, Medicare Advantage is the only program in our healthcare system in which health plans can specialize in the treatment of specific conditions such as diabetes, congestive heart failure or HIV.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

While researching the murders, I often felt that I was chasing history even as it was slipping away, and not long after we spoke, I learned that Martha had died from heart failure.

From "Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann