AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
A non-communicable disease: This reduces the flow of blood through the…
Full specification wording
Coronary heart disease: a non-communicable disease: This reduces the flow of blood through the coronary arteries, resulting in a lack of oxygen for the heart muscle.
The coronary arteries branch from the aorta and supply the heart muscle itself with oxygenated blood.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 10
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
The coronary arteries branch from the aorta and supply the heart muscle itself with oxygenated blood. In coronary heart disease, fatty material called atheroma builds up in the artery wall, narrowing the lumen. This reduces the flow of blood through the coronary arteries, so less oxygen reaches the heart muscle cells. The heart muscle therefore has to respire anaerobically, which produces lactic acid and causes pain (angina). If a coronary artery becomes completely blocked, part of the heart muscle is starved of oxygen and dies, causing a heart attack. The narrowing is a gradual process linked to risk factors such as a high-fat diet, smoking and lack of exercise.
What earns the marks
- The coronary arteries supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle cells.
- Atheroma (fatty material) builds up in the coronary artery wall and narrows the lumen.
- A narrowed lumen reduces the volume of blood flowing through the coronary arteries.
- Reduced blood flow delivers less oxygen to the heart muscle.
- Without enough oxygen the heart muscle cannot respire aerobically and may be damaged or die.
- A complete blockage can cause a heart attack (myocardial infarction).
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing the coronary arteries with the coronary veins.
Put it right: State that the coronary arteries deliver oxygen and glucose to the heart muscle.
Thinking the heart muscle is supplied by blood inside the chambers.
Put it right: The coronary arteries branch from the aorta and supply the muscle directly.
Saying the heart stops beating immediately when an artery narrows.
Put it right: Narrowing reduces oxygen supply and causes pain, while a complete blockage can cause a heart attack.
Exam tips
- Use the phrase 'reduces blood flow' and then link it explicitly to 'less oxygen reaches the heart muscle' to secure both parts of the statement.
- When asked to explain, work through the chain: atheroma → narrowed lumen → reduced flow → less oxygen → anaerobic respiration → pain or damage.
- If a question asks for a treatment, do not describe the cause in detail; keep the cause explanation brief and focus on the named treatment.
Try the lesson
The start of the Coronary heart disease: a non-communicable disease: This reduces the flow of blood through the coronary arteries, resulting in a lack of oxygen for the heart muscle. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which substance builds up in the coronary arteries and reduces the flow of blood to the heart muscle?
Listen
The coronary arteries branch from the aorta and supply the heart muscle itself with oxygenated blood. In coronary heart disease, fatty material called atheroma builds up in the artery wall, narrowing the lumen. This reduces the flow of blood through the coronary arteries, so less oxygen reaches the heart muscle cells. The heart muscle therefore has to respire anaerobically, which produces lactic acid and causes pain (angina). If a coronary artery becomes completely blocked, part of the heart muscle is starved of oxygen and dies, causing a heart attack. The narrowing is a gradual process linked to risk factors such as a high-fat diet, smoking and lack of exercise. A strong answer earns marks for these points. The coronary arteries supply oxygenated blood to the heart muscle cells. Atheroma (fatty material) builds up in the coronary artery wall and narrows the lumen. A narrowed lumen reduces the volume of blood flowing through the coronary arteries. Reduced blood flow delivers less oxygen to the heart muscle. A common slip: Confusing the coronary arteries with the coronary veins: the arteries carry oxygenated blood to the heart muscle, so the error is naming the wrong vessel. Instead, state that the coronary arteries deliver oxygen and glucose to the heart muscle. Exam tip: Use the phrase 'reduces blood flow' and then link it explicitly to 'less oxygen reaches the heart muscle' to secure both parts of the statement.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Atheroma
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Coronary heart disease
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Heart attack
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See every definition
- Atheroma
- Fatty material that builds up in the artery wall and narrows the lumen.
- Coronary heart disease
- A non-communicable disease in which atheroma builds up in the coronary artery wall, narrowing the lumen and reducing the flow of blood.
- Heart attack
- What a complete blockage of a coronary artery can cause when part of the heart muscle is starved of oxygen and dies.
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