Treating cardiovascular diseaseSpec 5.25
In short
Cardiovascular disease is disease of the heart or blood vessels. It is treated with life-long medication, such as statins to lower cholesterol, surgical procedures, such as stents, bypass surgery or a heart transplant, and lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking, eating a balanced diet and exercising. Each treatment has advantages and disadvantages to weigh up.
Cardiovascular disease is disease of the heart or blood vessels. In an evaluate question you must give advantages and disadvantages of each treatment, then reach a conclusion.
| Treatment | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Life-long medication, for example statins to lower cholesterol, or drugs that lower blood pressure or stop blood clotting | Reduces risk; no operation needed; can be effective for many years | Must be taken every day for life; possible side effects; ongoing cost; may be forgotten |
| Surgical procedures, for example stents, bypass surgery, valve replacement or a heart transplant | Can quickly restore blood flow or heart function; effective for serious cases | Risks of surgery such as infection and bleeding; recovery time; cost; a transplant needs a donor and may be rejected |
| Lifestyle changes, such as stopping smoking, eating a balanced diet and exercising | Cheap; no side effects; also reduces the risk of other diseases | Needs long-term effort; results take time; not enough alone for severe disease |
The best choice depends on the patient. Lifestyle changes are suitable for most people to reduce risk. Medication is used to manage existing disease. Surgery is usually used when disease is severe or has caused a blockage.
To get full marks on an evaluate question, finish with a justified conclusion, such as which treatment you would recommend for a particular patient and why.
Quick check
What does it mean that many non-communicable diseases are caused by an interaction of factors?
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Several factors, such as lifestyle, environmental and inherited factors, act together to cause the disease, rather than one factor alone.
Write the BMI equation.
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BMI = mass (kg) ÷ height (m)²
How does smoking increase the risk of cardiovascular disease?
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It damages artery linings, so fatty deposits build up and arteries narrow; nicotine raises heart rate and blood pressure.
Which disease is linked to drinking too much alcohol?
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Liver disease, for example cirrhosis.
Give one advantage and one disadvantage of life-long medication.
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It reduces risk without surgery; it must be taken for life and may have side effects.
Written and checked against the Edexcel GCSE Combined Science (1SC0) specification · Updated October 2026