The aging global population presents unique challenges in cardiac surgery, where risk factors like frailty, disability, and multimorbidity have become increasingly prevalent. As people live longer, the population of older adults undergoing cardiac surgery with one or more of these risk factors is rapidly growing, prompting healthcare systems to focus not only on survival, but also on the quality of life and functional status of these patients following surgery. This entry begins by exploring the critical concepts of disability, frailty, and multimorbidity, highlighting their unique yet interconnected roles in perioperative cardiac care. It then critically evaluates current methodologies for assessing these risk factors and quantifying their impact. This entry advocates for a new, more holistic approach in cardiac surgery that integrates disability and frailty metrics into standard evaluation protocols. This shift will require a multidisciplinary approach, combining comprehensive frailty assessments with innovative research derived from patient-defined outcomes. Bridging the gap between traditional clinical metrics and patient-centered care is essential to improving long-term quality of life in cardiac surgery patients. By prioritizing actionable assessments and aligning care strategies with patient-defined goals, the healthcare system can achieve more equitable, effective, and meaningful outcomes for this vulnerable population.