Cardiovascular disease, diet and risk

Sample questions

Original practice questions written in the style of the exam.

1. Question 13 marks

   A student records her energy budget for a typical day.

   	Energy / kJ
   Energy intake from food	10 500
   Basal metabolic rate	7 200
   Energy used in physical activity	2 900

   Assume 1 g of body fat stores $37\,\text{kJ}$ of energy. Calculate the mass of fat she would gain over 30 days if her energy budget stayed the same. Give your answer to 3 significant figures.

   Mark scheme

   • Daily energy surplus $= 10\,500 - (7\,200 + 2\,900) = 400\,\text{kJ}$ (1)
   • Surplus over 30 days $= 400 \times 30 = 12\,000\,\text{kJ}$ (1)
   • Mass of fat $= 12\,000 \div 37 = 324\,\text{g}$ (1)
2. Question 23 marks

   Statins are prescribed to many people at high risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

   Explain how statins reduce the risk of CVD and give one possible side effect.

   Mark scheme

   • Statins inhibit an enzyme in the liver that is needed to make cholesterol (1)
   • So blood LDL (cholesterol) concentration falls, so less atheroma forms in artery walls (1)
   • Side effect: e.g. muscle pain / liver damage / digestive problems / headaches (1)