# Explain how smoking cigarettes increases the risk of cardiovascular disease.

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

> Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the leading causes of death in the UK. Lifestyle factors, including smoking, are known to increase the risk of developing CVD.

## Mark scheme (5 marks)

1. Carbon monoxide from cigarette smoke binds to haemoglobin (reducing oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood)
2. The heart must beat faster / work harder to compensate for reduced oxygen delivery to tissues
3. Nicotine in cigarette smoke causes an increase in heart rate / blood pressure
4. High blood pressure damages the inner lining / walls of arteries
5. Fatty deposits / plaques build up in artery walls, narrowing the lumen and restricting blood flow to the heart, increasing the risk of a 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/explain-how-smoking-cigarettes-increases-the-384d3a5d) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.