# Explain why a person who smokes cigarettes and has a diet high in saturated fat is at greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease than a non-smoker with a healthy diet.

> Eduqas GCSE Biology — 3.4 Non-communicable diseases in humans · Explain · 4 marks

## Mark scheme (4 marks)

1. Smoking/saturated fat causes a build-up of fatty deposits (plaques) in the arteries / causes atherosclerosis
2. Narrowed arteries restrict blood flow / reduce oxygen supply to the heart muscle
3. Smoking raises blood pressure / causes blood clots to form more easily
4. This combination increases the chance of a heart attack / coronary heart disease / stroke

## Key terms

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

## Related

- [Revision notes for Eduqas GCSE Biology](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-why-a-person-who-smokes-4376910f) · Published by Druglandscape Ltd.