Coronary heart disease: a non-communicable disease — AQA GCSE Biology
Test yourself on Coronary heart disease: a non-communicable disease with AQA GCSE practice questions.
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Coronary heart disease: a non-communicable disease explained
Cardiovascular disease can be treated in three broad ways.
Read the full explanation
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.
Your focus
- Describe how drugs, mechanical devices and transplants are used to treat cardiovascular disease.
- Compare the advantages and disadvantages of each treatment option.
- Reach and justify a treatment recommendation using the evidence provided.
Coronary heart disease: a non-communicable disease exam tips
Marking 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.
- Answers should distinguish between treating symptoms, reducing risk and replacing a damaged organ.
Examiner 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.
Common Mistakes
- Listing treatments without comparing advantages and disadvantages; correct this by making a clear judgement supported by the points given.
- Claiming transplants cure heart disease with no ongoing treatment; correct this by stating that immunosuppressant drugs are needed for life.
- Treating all drugs as risk-free; correct this by mentioning possible side effects and the need for regular use.