2.13 Coronary heart disease and its treatment
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Describe what happens to the coronary arteries in coronary heart disease.
Mark scheme
- layers of fatty material / cholesterol build up (inside the artery) (1)
- the artery / lumen becomes narrower (1)
Model answer
Layers of fatty material build up inside the coronary arteries, which makes them narrower.
Explain how coronary heart disease can lead to a heart attack.
Mark scheme
- narrowed / blocked coronary arteries (1)
- less blood flow to the heart muscle (1)
- less oxygen reaches the heart muscle (1)
- so less (aerobic) respiration / heart muscle cells die (1)
Model answer
Fatty deposits narrow or block the coronary arteries, so less blood flows to the heart muscle. The muscle gets less oxygen, so it cannot respire aerobically and some heart muscle cells die. This is a heart attack.
Explain how a stent helps a person with coronary heart disease.
Mark scheme
- holds / keeps the artery open (1)
- so more blood / oxygen reaches the heart muscle (1)
Model answer
The stent holds the coronary artery open, so more blood, carrying oxygen, can reach the heart muscle.
Statins are used to treat coronary heart disease.
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of using statins.
Mark scheme
- advantage: reduce blood cholesterol / slow fatty deposits / no surgery needed (1)
- disadvantage: side effects / must be taken for life / slow to have an effect (1)
Model answer
An advantage is that statins lower blood cholesterol and slow the build-up of fatty material without surgery. A disadvantage is that they can cause side effects such as liver problems.
Give one disadvantage of a mechanical heart valve compared with a biological valve.
Mark scheme
patient must take drugs to stop blood clotting / risk of blood clots
Model answer
The patient has to take anticlotting drugs for the rest of their life.
A patient has heart failure. Doctors suggest either a heart transplant or an artificial heart.
Evaluate the two treatments.
Mark scheme
- transplant: can be a long-term cure / natural heart (1)
- transplant: shortage of donors / long wait (1)
- transplant: risk of rejection / immunosuppressant drugs for life (1)
- artificial heart: no rejection / available sooner (1)
- artificial heart: risk of blood clots / infection / usually temporary (1)
- conclusion (1)
Maximum 4 marks
Model answer
A heart transplant can work for many years, but there are not enough donors and the patient must take drugs for life to stop rejection. An artificial heart is not rejected and can be used while the patient waits, but it can cause blood clots and infections and is usually only temporary. An artificial heart is a good short-term option until a donor heart is found.
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