Impact of Delayed Initiation of Cardiovascular Physical Therapy on Prolonged Hospital Length of Stay in Patients With Heart Failure

Background: Prolonged hospital length of stay (LOS) remains a major clinical and economic challenge in heart failure (HF) management. Although early initiation of cardiovascular physical therapy improves functional capacity and prognosis in HF, the impact of delayed initiation on LOS has not been fully clarified. This study examined the association between the timing of cardiovascular physical therapy initiation and prolonged LOS in patients hospitalized for HF.