# Coronary heart disease (CHD) is a form of cardiovascular disease. Explain how a build-up of fatty deposits in the coronary arteries can lead to a heart attack.

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

> Coronary heart disease affects millions of people in the UK. It develops over many years and is linked to several lifestyle and genetic risk factors.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Fatty deposits (atheroma/plaque) build up in the wall of the coronary artery
2. The lumen of the coronary artery becomes narrower
3. Blood flow to the heart muscle is reduced
4. The heart muscle receives less oxygen (and glucose)
5. The heart muscle cells cannot respire sufficiently / part of the heart muscle dies, causing a heart attack

## Key terms

- [fatty deposits](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/fatty-deposits)
- [heart attack](https://www.gradenine.co.uk/glossary/heart-attack)
- [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/coronary-heart-disease-chd-is-a-89de4fad) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.