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

Last week, a patient arrived at a rural Kentucky clinic with complex kidney disease and heart failure. — John E. Harrison, Baltimore Sun, 1 Sep. 2026

Herman suffered heart failure in her sleep in Florida on August 6th, her family announced. — Tom Tapp, Deadline, 31 Aug. 2026

Queen Sonja was hospitalized in May following a heart failure diagnosis. — Meredith Kile, PEOPLE, 27 Aug. 2026

After seven years, receiving Shingrix versus the older Zostavax was associated with a 9% lower overall cardiovascular burden, defined as a bucket of coronary heart disease, heart failure, and stroke. — Elizabeth Cooney, STAT, 26 Aug. 2026

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