Treating cardiovascular diseaseSpec 4.2.2.4
In short
Cardiovascular disease can be treated with drugs, mechanical devices or transplants. Faulty heart valves that do not open fully or that leak can be replaced with biological or mechanical valves. In heart failure, a donor heart, or heart and lungs, can be transplanted, and artificial hearts are occasionally used while a patient waits for a transplant.
Faulty heart valves
In some people heart valves may become faulty. A valve may be prevented from opening fully, or it might develop a leak.
- If a valve does not open fully, less blood can flow through, so the heart has to work harder and the body may receive less oxygen.
- If a valve leaks, blood flows backwards, so the heart pumps less blood forward with each beat.
Faulty heart valves can be replaced using biological or mechanical valves.
Heart failure
In the case of heart failure, a donor heart, or heart and lungs, can be transplanted. Artificial hearts are occasionally used to keep patients alive whilst waiting for a heart transplant, or to allow the heart to rest as an aid to recovery.
Evaluating treatments
You need to evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of treating cardiovascular diseases by drugs, mechanical devices or transplant.
| Treatment | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Drugs (such as statins) | Reduce cholesterol and slow down the rate of fatty deposit. Taken by mouth, with no operation | Must be taken regularly for a long time. May have side effects. Do not repair a damaged heart |
| Mechanical devices (stents, mechanical valves, artificial hearts) | Can quickly restore blood flow or heart function. Recovery is faster than for a transplant. Artificial hearts can keep a patient alive while waiting for a donor | Surgery has risks such as infection and bleeding. Blood clots can form on the device. Artificial hearts are only used for a limited time |
| Transplant (donor heart or heart and lungs) | Replaces a failed heart, so normal life may be possible | Few donors are available. Major surgery. The immune system may reject the organ, so drugs are needed to prevent this |
Mechanical valves last a long time, but blood clots are more likely to form on them, so the patient must take drugs to stop clotting for the rest of their life. Biological valves are less likely to cause clots, but they wear out sooner and may need replacing.
For ‘evaluate’ questions, give advantages AND disadvantages, then finish with a judgement that refers to the patient, such as their age and how serious the disease is.
Written and checked against the AQA GCSE Combined Science (8464) specification · Updated October 2026