The correct spelling of "heart failures" is with the letter "s" at the end of "failure". This is because it is a plural form, indicating that there are multiple instances of heart failure. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word would be spelled /hɑrt ˈfeɪljərz/. The "h" sound at the beginning represents the voiceless glottal fricative, while the "a" in "heart" is pronounced as the long vowel /ɑ/. The stress is on the first syllable, and the "j" sound in "failures" is represented by the letter "y" in the transcription.
Heart failure is a chronic and progressive condition characterized by the heart's inability to adequately pump and supply oxygenated blood to the body. It occurs when the heart is unable to maintain its usual level of function and cannot meet the body's demands. Also known as congestive heart failure, it can be a result of various underlying causes such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, heart muscle damage, or heart valve disorders.
Heart failure can be categorized into two main types: systolic heart failure and diastolic heart failure. Systolic heart failure refers to a condition where the heart muscle is weakened, leading to a reduced ability to contract and pump blood effectively. Diastolic heart failure, on the other hand, occurs when the heart muscle becomes stiff and cannot relax properly, impairing its ability to fill with blood during the resting phase of the heartbeat.
Symptoms of heart failure may include fatigue, shortness of breath, wheezing, swollen ankles or legs, rapid or irregular heartbeat, and persistent coughing. These symptoms can vary in severity and may get worse over time if left untreated.
Given its chronic nature, heart failure requires long-term management through lifestyle modifications, medication, and sometimes surgical interventions such as heart transplantation. Treatment aims to alleviate symptoms, improve quality of life, and slow down disease progression.
In conclusion, heart failure refers to an ongoing medical condition wherein the heart is unable to pump sufficient blood for the body's needs, leading to a range of symptoms and requiring comprehensive management to minimize health complications.
The word "heart failure" has a straightforward etymology.
The term "heart" derives from the Old English word "heorte" and is related to the Old High German word "herza" and the Old Norse word "hjarta". These are all derived from the Proto-Germanic word "herutô", which can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "ḱēr", meaning "heart".
The word "failure" comes from the Middle English word "failuren", which was borrowed from the Anglo-French word "faillir" meaning "to fail". This, in turn, originated from the Latin word "fallere" which means "to deceive" or "to disappoint".