The well-being of blood vessels and heart is termed as vascular health. There are certain risk factors that elevate the tendency of atherosclerosis (disease of arteries). Identification of these risk factors and their early detection are crucial in improving vascular health. In fact, early detection of risk factors is the optimal route to attaining a healthy lifestyle.

A recently-discovered form of angina is microvascular angina. Individuals suffering from microvascular angina have no clear coronary artery blockages but do experience chest pain. Clinicians have determined the cause of these chest pains as poor functioning of small blood vessels around the heart, arms and legs. However, microvascular angina is treated with almost same medications used in treatment of angina pectoris.

Angina means “strangling” and pectoris denotes breast or front chest wall. Often individuals suffering from angina describe their pain as a sensation of tightness and complain, “I feel a pressure as if somebody is sitting on my chest.” Angina (chest pain) is a symptom of CAD (the most common heart disease). CAD occurs when plaque builds up inside the arteries and consequently reduces the blood flow to the heart by shortening the lumen of the artery. An angina stack often starts from the pit of the stomach and may radiate towards neck and lower jaw or shoulders and arms.

Generally, angina is accompanied by oppressive feelings of fear and apprehensiveness. The scale of impairment ranges from mild, occasional pain to frequent debilitating pain, which can make the most effortless work an exhausting ordeal.

You should suspect a heart disease if the frequency, duration and severity of angina increases, also, if angina is accompanied by heavy perspiration, moreover, if no relief is experienced with in 15 minutes of intake of 3 nitroglycerin tablets. Otherwise, pursue normal work and social life.

Rest for 10 to 15 minutes when angina occurs, after 3 minutes the pain is most likely to subside. Beware of excessive exercise, heavy meals, cigarette smoking, excitement, stress, haste, anger and frustrations for they tend to cause angina.

Although chronic depression is a form of low-grade depression that can last for many years, it is very serious. It is also known as dysthymic disorder or dysthymia. In a few words, dysthymia is a form of depression that last for at least two years without any significant decrease in its severity. According to estimates chronic depression is found in roughly six in every hundred people. Contrary to clinical depression, chronic depression does not prevent a person from functioning in his normal roles. However, it does prevent enjoyment of everyday life events. People with dysthymia continuously have feelings of “reject-ness” and often find themselves in state of despair.

Even though it is generally accepted that depression can be substantially devastating, many people believe that they can overcome these feeling on their own, and without going for proper treatment. Accordingly, people with chronic depression may not be able to identify that they have a treatable disorder, or many will not try to seek treatment out of shame and stigma. It depends how individuals perceive and understand depression that determines how they will manage and likewise, treat this illness.

Since, chronic depression is a long-term disorder, for its treatment drugs are not the ideal solution. The various forms of psychotherapy, cognitive therapy, couples therapy, solution-focused therapy, family therapy and interpersonal therapy should be considered as long-term treatments for chronic depression.

Even though, drugs are not the ideal treatment, researchers have shown a significant decrease in chronic depression symptoms with the use of antidepressants. Favorable outcomes and results have been obtained by the use of omega-3 fatty acids, regardless of whether consumed as supplement or as oily fish. There are still ample of blanks to be filled by future research regarding the use of drugs for treatment of chronic depression, as according to a 2005 review the evidence suggesting antidepressants to be an effective alternative for mild to moderate depression is “inconsistent and confusing”