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Cardiovascular disease

I can describe the causes of coronary heart disease and evaluate some different treatments for cardiovascular disease.

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New
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  • OCR

Cardiovascular disease

I can describe the causes of coronary heart disease and evaluate some different treatments for cardiovascular disease.

Download all

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Cardiovascular disease (including coronary heart disease) is a common non-communicable disease.
  2. The coronary arteries supply blood to the heart muscle, and can become blocked by fatty deposits.
  3. This restricts blood flow and causes a lack of oxygen to the heart muscle, which can cause a heart attack.
  4. Heart valves stop the backflow of blood in the heart and they can become damaged.
  5. Heart disease can be prevented with lifestyle changes, or treated with stents, medicines, transplants and surgery.

Keywords

  • Cardiovascular disease - General term for conditions affecting the heart or the blood vessels.

  • Coronary heart disease - A condition whereby the coronary arteries have been blocked.

  • Arteries - Blood vessels that carry blood away from the heart.

  • Stent - A short wire mesh tube that can be inserted into the artery to allow the unrestricted flow of blood.

  • Statins - Medication to lower blood cholesterol.

Common misconception

The heart does not have its own blood vessels. Students often believe the heart gets oxygen and glucose from the blood circulating through it.

The heart has its own blood supply through the coronary arteries.

Transgenic organisms have been genetically modified. A pig's heart that had been genetically modified to contain human cells was first transplanted into a human in 2022. The man was critically ill but managed to survive two more months. This is rare.
Teacher tip

Equipment

None

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
True or false? Heart disease is non-communicable.

Correct answer: True
False

Q2.
What type of muscle is the heart made from?

skeletal muscle
connective tissue
smooth muscle
Correct answer: cardiac muscle

Q3.
Which option best describes the role of the heart?

The heart keeps you alive.
Correct answer: The heart pumps blood around the body.
The heart gets rid of carbon dioxide.
The heart carries oxygenated blood to the lungs.

Q4.
Which organ system does the heart belong to?

Correct answer: circulatory system
respiratory system
digestive system
transport system

Q5.
Which substance needed for cellular respiration does the blood transport?

nitrogen
carbon monoxide
carbon dioxide
Correct answer: oxygen
hydrogen

Q6.
What are the 3 types of blood vessel?

aorta
Correct answer: artery
Correct answer: vein
Correct answer: capillary
vena cava

Assessment exit quiz

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6 Questions

Q1.
True or false? Cardiovascular disease is communicable.

True
Correct answer: False

Q2.
What is the role of the coronary arteries?

They separate the two sides of the heart.
Correct answer: They supply the heart muscle with blood.
They pump blood away from the heart.
They pump blood to the lungs.

Q3.
Heart valves prevent the of blood.

Correct Answer: backflow

Q4.
Put these steps in order to show how a blocked artery can lead to a heart attack.

1 - Fatty deposits can build up inside the coronary arteries.
2 - The coronary arteries become narrower.
3 - The blood flow through the arteries is reduced.
4 - A blood clot develops and blocks the artery.
5 - The heart muscle cells no longer contract and die.

Q5.
Match the cardiovascular treatment to its effect.

Correct Answer:Statins,lower blood cholesterol.

lower blood cholesterol.

Correct Answer:Stents,allow the unrestricted flow of blood.

allow the unrestricted flow of blood.

Correct Answer:Beta-blockers,lower blood pressure.

lower blood pressure.

Correct Answer:Blood thinning medication,lowers the risk of a blood clot.

lowers the risk of a blood clot.

Correct Answer:Organ transplant,provides a new heart.

provides a new heart.

Q6.
What lifestyle changes help reduce the risk of developing heart disease and having a heart attack?

Correct answer: eating a balanced and healthy diet
having a sedentary lifestyle
Correct answer: exercising
Correct answer: not smoking
vaping

Lesson appears in

UnitBiology / Health and disease

EdexcelBiology

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AQABiology

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OCRBiology

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UnitCombined science / Health and disease

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AQACombined science

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OCRCombined science

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