Occurrence of Heart Failure-Related Clinical Signs in a Japanese Convalescent Rehabilitation Ward: A Cross-Sectional Pilot Study

BackgroundHeart failure (HF) is a major contributor to cardiovascular morbidity.It is common among older adults and often characterized by progression, repeated healthcare needs, declines in cardiac and physical function, and reduced quality of life.This pilot study aimed to describe the occurrence of HF-related clinical signs among patients admitted to a Japanese convalescent rehabilitation ward. MethodsThis single-center cross-sectional study included 128 patients without marked cognitive impairment.Rehabilitation professionals assessed seven noninvasive clinical items selected from the Framingham criteria.Based on the presence of a physician diagnosis of HF and the assessed clinical signs, the patients were classified into three groups: the physician-diagnosed HF, sign-positive, and non-sign groups. ResultsOf the 128 patients, 20, 49, and 59 were classified into the physician-diagnosed HF, sign-positive, and nonsign groups, respectively.Cardiomegaly was frequently observed in both the physician-diagnosed HF and sign-positive groups, whereas the other major criteria were rarely identified. ConclusionOur findings indicate that HF-related clinical signs may also be present in patients without a formal diagnosis of HF.A substantial proportion of patients without physician-diagnosed HF showed HF-related clinical signs in a convalescent rehabilitation ward.Screening for these signs by rehabilitation professionals may help identify patients who require closer observation and may contribute to safer rehabilitation practice and risk management.