In old age, functional status assessment is very important. Activities requiring walking one or two blocks on level ground gives a relatively good picture. Well, if one can still play golf or tennis and climbs stairs effortlessly, one's metabolic equivalents are very good.
But their risk factors must be stratified and optimized before taking up for a major surgery. Evaluation of hypertension, congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, diastolic dysfunction, coronary stents and diabetes are very important. Cessation of smoking for eight weeks would definitely reduce complications perioperatively