heart failure

noun

1

: a condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood at an adequate rate or in adequate volume

2

: cessation of heartbeat : death

Examples of heart failure in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The team looked at previous research showing that people with worse gum disease tend to have a higher risk of several major cardiovascular problems, including heart attack, stroke, irregular heart rhythms, heart failure and peripheral artery disease. —Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 18 Dec. 2025

Key Takeaways Large amounts of vitamin E may increase bleeding risk, trigger hemorrhagic stroke, and raise the risk of heart failure—especially in people with heart disease. —Brandi Jones, Verywell Health, 18 Dec. 2025

The reality is that Alzheimer’s disease is a chronic disease of the brain, just like heart failure is a chronic disease of the heart, or diabetes is a chronic disease associated with glucose metabolism. —Alexa Mikhail, Flow Space, 18 Dec. 2025

Normalizing blood sugar levels halved the risk of dying early from heart disease or being hospitalized for heart failure. —Tom Gavin, EverydayHealth.com, 16 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1574, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Medical Definition

heart failure

noun

1

: a condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood at an adequate rate or in adequate volume compare angina pectoris, congestive heart failure, coronary failure, heart attack

2

: cessation of heartbeat : death