# A patient visits their doctor and is told they have high blood cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. The doctor explains that both of these are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Explain how having high blood cholesterol levels and high blood pressure can lead to a heart attack.

> Edexcel A-Level Biology A: Salters-Nuffield (9BN0) — 1.1 Cardiovascular disease and risk · Explain · 5 marks

> Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death in the UK. Lifestyle choices and certain medical conditions can increase a person's risk of developing the disease.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. High blood cholesterol leads to the build-up of fatty deposits (atheroma) inside the walls of arteries
2. This causes the arteries to narrow (atherosclerosis), restricting blood flow
3. High blood pressure causes damage to the artery walls, making the build-up of fatty deposits more likely
4. A blood clot (thrombosis) can form at the site of a fatty deposit, which may block the coronary artery
5. This prevents oxygenated blood reaching the heart muscle, causing the heart muscle to die (heart attack)

## Key terms

- [cardiovascular disease](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/cardiovascular-disease)

## Related

- [Revision notes for Edexcel A-Level Biology A: Salters-Nuffield (9BN0)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/learn)
- [How to answer "Explain" questions](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/tools/command-word-cheatsheet)
- [Practice this with AI marking (free)](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/start)

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Source: [GradeNine](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/q/a-patient-visits-their-doctor-and-0ad07d6c) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.