B3.2.6—Coronary artery occlusion

Coronary artery occlusion reduces oxygen supply to heart muscle when atherosclerotic plaques, thrombosis or cholesterol-related narrowing restrict coronary blood flow.

Exam analysis

Chance of appearing1%of analysed past papers

Latest appearanceMay 2018

Most common paperPaper1

Typical marks1

Common command terms

Outline

Scoring notes

Common mistake: Treating cholesterol correlation data as proof of direct causation.

Recent exam appearances

May 2018Paper1 ["HL"] · TZ26[ 1 ]B3.2.6—Coronary artery occlusion

Practice this objective

Coverage 2018–2018 · Updated 15 Jul 2026

Concept essentials

Coronary arteries supply oxygen to cardiac muscle.
Atherosclerotic plaques can narrow arteries and reduce blood flow.
Plaque rupture may trigger thrombosis and coronary occlusion.
Oxygen deprivation can kill cardiac muscle tissue.

ConceptIB Biology HL