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  • Functional capacity is the ability to perform basic daily activities

  • Used to determine cardiac risk 

  • MET (metabolic equivalent) is the unit of oxygen consumption needed for physical activity or increased stress

Functional Capacity

Introduction

Adequate functional capacity

  • The ability to perform at 4 METs without

    • Shortness of breath

    • Fatigue

    • Chest tightness or pain

  • 4 METs

    • Walking up a flight of stairs without stopping

    • Walking a city block at moderate speed

  • Ask the patient "what do you do for exercise?"

  • The patient that cannot expend 4 METs is at increased risk for cardiac event during dental treatment.

References

Dental Management of the Medically Compromised Patient. Little, Falace, Miller, Rhodus.  8th Edition

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