AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
A non-communicable disease: Students should be able to evaluate the…
Full specification wording
Coronary heart disease: a non-communicable disease: Students should be able to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of treating cardiovascular diseases by drugs, mechanical devices or transplant.
Cardiovascular disease can be treated in three broad ways.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 1 of 10
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Cardiovascular disease can be treated in three broad ways. Drugs such as statins lower blood cholesterol and reduce fatty deposits, while antihypertensives lower blood pressure; they are usually non-invasive and can be taken long term, but may cause side effects and must be taken regularly. Mechanical devices include stents, which hold narrowed coronary arteries open, and artificial pacemakers, which correct abnormal heart rhythms; they can be fitted quickly and improve blood flow, but carry surgical risks and may need replacement. A heart transplant replaces a damaged heart, offering the chance of a full recovery, but donor hearts are scarce, the operation is major and immunosuppressant drugs must be taken for life. Evaluation means weighing benefits against risks and limitations for a particular patient, not simply listing treatments.
What earns the marks
- Drugs such as statins reduce cholesterol and antihypertensives reduce blood pressure, but may cause side effects and require long-term adherence.
- Mechanical devices such as stents keep coronary arteries open and pacemakers regulate heart rhythm, but involve surgery and possible replacement.
- Heart transplant can restore heart function but depends on donor availability and requires lifelong immunosuppressant drugs.
- A good evaluation compares advantages and disadvantages and reaches a justified judgement for a given patient or situation.
- Answers should distinguish between treating symptoms, reducing risk and replacing a damaged organ.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Listing treatments without comparing advantages and disadvantages.
Put it right by making a clear judgement supported by the points given.
Claiming transplants cure heart disease with no ongoing treatment.
Put it right by stating that immunosuppressant drugs are needed for life.
Treating all drugs as risk-free.
Put it right by mentioning possible side effects and the need for regular use.
Exam tips
- Use comparative connectives such as whereas, however and therefore to weigh up each option.
- Refer to the specific patient context if one is given, for example age, lifestyle or severity of disease.
- Finish with a justified conclusion rather than leaving the reader to decide.
Try the lesson
The start of the Coronary heart disease: a non-communicable disease: Students should be able to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of treating cardiovascular diseases by drugs, mechanical devices or transplant. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which of the following is a disadvantage of using a mechanical device, such as an artificial heart, to treat cardiovascular disease?
Listen
Cardiovascular disease can be treated in three broad ways. Drugs such as statins lower blood cholesterol and reduce fatty deposits, while antihypertensives lower blood pressure; they are usually non-invasive and can be taken long term, but may cause side effects and must be taken regularly. Mechanical devices include stents, which hold narrowed coronary arteries open, and artificial pacemakers, which correct abnormal heart rhythms; they can be fitted quickly and improve blood flow, but carry surgical risks and may need replacement. A heart transplant replaces a damaged heart, offering the chance of a full recovery, but donor hearts are scarce, the operation is major and immunosuppressant drugs must be taken for life. Evaluation means weighing benefits against risks and limitations for a particular patient, not simply listing treatments. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Drugs such as statins reduce cholesterol and antihypertensives reduce blood pressure, but may cause side effects and require long-term adherence. Mechanical devices such as stents keep coronary arteries open and pacemakers regulate heart rhythm, but involve surgery and possible replacement. Heart transplant can restore heart function but depends on donor availability and requires lifelong immunosuppressant drugs. A good evaluation compares advantages and disadvantages and reaches a justified judgement for a given patient or situation. A common slip: Listing treatments without comparing advantages and disadvantages. Instead, making a clear judgement supported by the points given. Exam tip: Use comparative connectives such as whereas, however and therefore to weigh up each option.
Key words
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Evaluation
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Stents
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Heart transplant
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Statins
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See every definition
- Evaluation
- Weighing benefits against risks and limitations for a particular patient, not simply listing treatments.
- Stents
- Mechanical devices that hold narrowed coronary arteries open; they can be fitted quickly and improve blood flow, but carry surgical risks and may need replacement.
- Heart transplant
- Replaces a damaged heart, offering the chance of a full recovery, but donor hearts are scarce, the operation is major and immunosuppressant drugs must be taken for life.
- Statins
- Drugs that lower blood cholesterol and reduce fatty deposits; they are usually non-invasive and can be taken long term, but may cause side effects and must be taken regularly.
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