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Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a non-communicable disease - AQA - GCSE Biology Combined Science - Question 2 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 2
Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a non-communicable disease. CHD is caused when fatty material builds up in the coronary arteries. Figure 4 shows a coronary artery ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a non-communicable disease - AQA - GCSE Biology Combined Science - Question 2 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Step 2
Explain how CHD can cause a heart attack.
Answer
Coronary heart disease (CHD) can lead to a heart attack by restricting blood flow to the heart muscle. When fatty materials build up in the coronary arteries, they can reduce or completely stop blood flow. This consequently limits the oxygen supply to the heart muscle, resulting in the muscle cells being unable to respire or generate energy. If the heart muscle does not receive enough oxygen, it can cause damage to the heart tissue, leading to a heart attack.
Step 3
Explain how lifestyle and medical risk factors increase the chance of developing CHD.
Answer
Various lifestyle and medical risk factors can significantly increase the likelihood of developing coronary heart disease (CHD). Medical risk factors include:
- High blood pressure: Puts strain on arteries, increasing the risk of damage.
- High cholesterol: Leads to fatty deposits in arteries.
- Diabetes: Affects blood vessels and may contribute to plaque buildup.
Lifestyle risk factors include:
- Obesity: Associated with higher cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Lack of exercise: Reduces overall cardiovascular health.
- Unhealthy diet: Diets high in fat, sugar, and salt contribute to high cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Smoking: Harms blood vessels and lowers oxygen in the blood.
- Excessive alcohol intake: Can lead to high blood pressure.
- Pollution exposure: Linked to cardiovascular issues.
Both categories of risk factors interact in complex ways, amplifying overall risk for developing CHD.