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DASI Calculator - Duke Activity Status Index

Calculate functional capacity in METs from daily activities. Essential for preoperative cardiac risk assessment per ACC/AHA guidelines.

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Why: This page explains what the DASI Calculator - Duke Activity Status Index calculator does, what to enter, and how to read the results—without repeating the overview above.

How: Enter your values in the calculator fields below, keep units consistent, then run the calculation to see results and any step-by-step work shown on this page.

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💪 Excellent Capacity

Active adult, all activities possible

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👍 Good Capacity

Most activities possible, limited strenuous

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📊 Moderate Capacity

Limited strenuous activities, meets surgical threshold

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⚠️ Poor Capacity

Limited to basic activities only

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🔴 Severely Limited

Very limited mobility, high-risk patient

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❤️ Cardiac Rehab Patient

Post-MI recovery, building capacity

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Sample Patient Scenarios

💪 Excellent Capacity

Active adult, all activities possible

55-year-old recreational athlete preparing for elective knee surgery

👍 Good Capacity

Most activities possible, limited strenuous

65-year-old with controlled hypertension, pre-operative evaluation

📊 Moderate Capacity

Limited strenuous activities, meets surgical threshold

70-year-old with stable angina, elective hip replacement

⚠️ Poor Capacity

Limited to basic activities only

75-year-old with heart failure, needs colectomy

🔴 Severely Limited

Very limited mobility, high-risk patient

80-year-old with multiple comorbidities, emergency surgery

❤️ Cardiac Rehab Patient

Post-MI recovery, building capacity

62-year-old, 8 weeks post-MI, cardiac rehab progression

❤️ DASI Activity Questions

Can you perform the following activities? Select "Yes" if you can do the activity without symptoms.

2.75
pts
1.75
pts
2.75
pts
5.5
pts
8
pts
2.7
pts
3.5
pts
8
pts
4.5
pts
5.25
pts
6
pts
7.5
pts

👤 Patient Information

🏥 Medical History

🔪 Surgical Planning

💊 Current Medications

DASI Results

Moderate Functional Capacity

6.3 METs

28.7

DASI Score

METs

6.3

Peak VO₂

21.9

ml/kg/min

% Predicted

90%

Surgical Risk

Moderate

≥4 METs

✓ Yes

Detailed Analysis

DASI Score28.7/58.2
Estimated METs6.3
Peak VO₂21.9 ml/kg/min
Age-Expected METs6.9
% of Predicted90%
Cardiac Event Risk5.0%
Stress Test IndicatedNo
Exercise PrescriptionModerate intensity, 78-109 bpm, RPE 12-14
Target Heart Rate78-109 bpm

📊 Visual Analysis

Activity Profile

Category Breakdown

METs Comparison

Functional Capacity Gauge

📋 Recommendations

Moderate functional capacity - meets minimum surgical threshold

Consider further evaluation if multiple clinical risk factors present

🏃 Activity Recommendations

Current capacity: 6.3 METs

Moderate walking 20-30 minutes daily

Light aerobic activities

Can tolerate flights of stairs

Clinical Note: DASI provides an estimate of functional capacity and should be used in conjunction with clinical assessment. Per ACC/AHA guidelines, patients with ≥4 METs generally have adequate functional capacity for most surgeries, but clinical risk factors and surgery type must also be considered.

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before acting on results.

Understanding the DASI

The Duke Activity Status Index (DASI) is a validated 12-item questionnaire that estimates functional capacity in metabolic equivalents (METs). It's widely used for preoperative risk assessment and correlates well with measured exercise capacity.

Key Features

  • • 12 daily activity questions
  • • Weighted scoring (total 0-58.2)
  • • Estimates VO₂ peak and METs
  • • No equipment required
  • • Takes 2-5 minutes

Clinical Applications

  • • Preoperative cardiac assessment
  • • Cardiac rehabilitation
  • • Heart failure monitoring
  • • Exercise prescription
  • • Disability evaluation

Functional Capacity Classes

≥10 METs
Excellent
Surgical Risk: Very Low
Excellent functional capacity - can perform strenuous activities
Activities: Competitive sports, Vigorous exercise, Heavy manual labor
7-10 METs
Good
Surgical Risk: Low
Good functional capacity - adequate for most activities
Activities: Recreational sports, Yard work, Climbing multiple flights of stairs
4-7 METs
Moderate
Surgical Risk: Low-Moderate
Moderate functional capacity - meets surgical threshold
Activities: Light sports, Climbing one flight of stairs, Heavy housework
<4 METs
Poor
Surgical Risk: High
Poor functional capacity - below surgical threshold
Activities: Light housework, Self-care activities, Limited walking

ACC/AHA Guideline Thresholds

<4 METs
Poor Capacity
Consider stress testing before surgery
4-10 METs
Adequate Capacity
Proceed based on clinical risk factors
>10 METs
Excellent Capacity
Very low perioperative cardiac risk

DASI Activity Weights

ActivityWeightMETsCategory
Self-care2.751.75selfCare
Walk indoors1.752locomotion
Walk 1-2 blocks2.752.75locomotion
Climb stairs5.55locomotion
Run short88locomotion
Light housework2.72.5housework
Moderate housework3.53.5housework
Heavy housework86housework
Yard work4.54.5housework
Sexual activity5.253recreation
Moderate recreation65recreation
Strenuous sports7.57.5recreation

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Duke Activity Status Index (DASI)?▼
DASI is a validated 12-item questionnaire that estimates functional capacity in METs (metabolic equivalents) based on daily activities a patient can perform. It is widely used for preoperative cardiac risk assessment and exercise prescription per ACC/AHA guidelines.
How is DASI score used for surgical risk assessment?▼
A DASI score below 34 (approximately less than 4 METs) indicates poor functional capacity and higher perioperative cardiac risk. These patients may require further cardiac testing before non-cardiac surgery according to ACC/AHA preoperative evaluation guidelines.
What does MET stand for and why does it matter?▼
MET stands for Metabolic Equivalent of Task. One MET equals the energy expended at rest (3.5 mL O2/kg/min). Activities are rated in METs to quantify their intensity. Achieving 4+ METs of functional capacity is associated with lower perioperative and long-term cardiac event rates.
How is DASI different from a stress test?▼
DASI is a questionnaire-based assessment that can be completed in minutes without equipment, while a stress test requires specialized equipment and medical supervision. DASI provides a reasonable estimate of functional capacity and can help determine if a formal stress test is needed.
What activities are included in the DASI questionnaire?▼
DASI includes 12 activities ranging from basic self-care (eating, dressing) to vigorous exercise (running, strenuous sports). Each activity has a weighted score reflecting its metabolic demand. The total score ranges from 0 to 58.2 points.
Can DASI predict VO2 max?▼
Yes, DASI score can estimate peak VO2 using the formula: VO2 peak = 0.43 x DASI + 9.6 mL/kg/min. While not as precise as cardiopulmonary exercise testing, this estimate is clinically useful for risk stratification and exercise prescription.

Official Data Sources

🔗
ACC/AHA Guidelines
Perioperative cardiovascular evaluation guidelines
🔗
Duke Clinical Research Institute
Original DASI development and validation research
🔗
American Heart Association
Cardiac functional capacity and exercise guidelines
🔗
ESC Guidelines
European Society of Cardiology preoperative assessment

⚕️ Medical Disclaimer

This calculator is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult with a qualified healthcare provider before making any health-related decisions. Results are estimates based on published formulas and may not account for individual variations.

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