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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
Explain what a non-communicable disease is.
Answer
A non-communicable disease is a type of illness that is not caused by a pathogen or infectious organism. Specifically, it cannot be passed from one person to another. Non-communicable diseases are typically chronic and result from lifestyle, genetic, or environmental factors.
Step 2
Explain how CHD can cause a heart attack.
Answer
CHD can lead to a heart attack by causing reduced or restricted blood flow in the coronary arteries. When these arteries become narrowed due to fatty build-up, less oxygen is delivered to the heart muscle. Consequently, heart muscle cells cannot function effectively, which may result in the cells dying if they do not receive enough oxygen. This impairment can lead to a heart attack as the heart is unable to pump efficiently and can cause arrhythmias or stop altogether.
Step 3
Explain how lifestyle and medical risk factors increase the chance of developing CHD.
Answer
Lifestyle and medical risk factors significantly contribute to the development of CHD. Medical factors include conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and genetic predispositions that increase the likelihood of arterial damage. Lifestyle factors such as obesity, lack of exercise, poor diet, high alcohol intake, and smoking also play a crucial role. For instance, a diet high in saturated fats and sugar can lead to obesity, which in turn raises blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Smoking causes direct damage to blood vessels, significantly increasing the risk of arterial blockages. Together, these factors create a cumulative risk that elevates the chances of developing coronary heart disease.