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How to Pronounce Congenital Heart Block

Definition, meaning, and phonetic spelling

Congenital Heart Block Pronunciation

kon-JEN-ih-tal HART BLOK

Stressed syllable in ALL CAPS · hyphens separate syllables

Syllable Breakdown

kon
JEN

stress here

ih
tal HART BLOK

4 syllables

What is Congenital Heart Block?

... are the most common type of birth defect. Congenital heart defects can change the way the heart pumps blood. They may make blood flow too slowly, go the wrong way, or block it completely. There are many types of congenital ...

Definition sourced from MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine

Questions About Congenital Heart Block

How do you pronounce 'congenital heart block'?

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Say it like this: kon-JEN-ih-tal HART BLOK. The stress falls on the second syllable of the first word—JEN. Think of it as three separate words spoken together, with 'congenital' being the longest and most complex part to say.

What does 'congenital' mean in plain English?

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'Congenital' means something you are born with—it's already present when you come into the world. The word comes from Latin and literally means 'born together,' so a congenital condition is not something you develop later in life.

How do you break 'congenital heart block' into syllables?

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Break it down like this: con-GEN-i-tal HART BLOK. The first word has four syllables, and the stress lands on the second syllable (GEN). The second and third words are each just one syllable, making them easier to say.

What is a common mispronunciation of this term?

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Many people stress the first syllable and say CON-jen-i-tal instead of kon-JEN-i-tal. Remember that the emphasis belongs on the second syllable—the JEN part—to say it correctly.

What do the word parts of 'congenital' mean?

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'Congenital' comes from two Latin parts: 'con-' meaning 'with' or 'together,' and 'genitus' meaning 'born.' So the whole word literally translates to 'born with,' describing a condition present from birth.

What is the short form or abbreviation for this condition?

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The condition is often abbreviated as CHB in medical writing and speech. You would say these letters individually: C-H-B, or you can simply use the full term 'congenital heart block' when speaking.

What does 'heart block' mean in this phrase?

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'Heart block' refers to a problem with the electrical signals that make the heart beat—the signal becomes delayed or blocked. In this case, the 'block' part means there's an interruption in how the heart's electrical system works.

Can you use 'congenital heart block' in a sentence?

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Sure! Here's an example: 'The cardiologist explained that congenital heart block is a condition present since birth.' Another example: 'We learned about congenital heart block in our medical terminology class.'