Patricia Rodriguez-Lozano, MD, MS
Patricia Rodriguez-Lozano, MD, MS, director of the Women’s Heart Care Program in the UVA Division of Cardiovascular Medicine and assistant professor of cardiovascular medicine and radiology, has been awarded a prestigious K01 grant from the National Institutes of Health for her research titled “Innovative Therapy to Treat Women with Angina and Nonobstructive CAD (ANOCA) and Coronary Microvascular Disease.” K Awards are a vital funding source to support faculty as they grow in their research and serve as a launchpad for future funding opportunities
Heart disease remains the leading cause of death for both women and men. However, the prevailing “one size fits all” approach in cardiovascular research has often overlooked critical sex-specific differences, particularly as coronary artery disease (CAD) continues to rise alarmingly among younger women. Unlike men, women with ischemic heart disease frequently present with fewer calcified lesions and a higher incidence of nonobstructive disease. Emerging research underscores significant differences in coronary endothelial and microvascular function, with women disproportionately affected by coronary microvascular disease (CMD).
This groundbreaking investigation will delve into the role of innovative therapies in addressing CMD in women with nonobstructive CAD, a population for whom evidence-based treatment options remain scarce. The findings from this study are poised to fill a critical gap in cardiovascular care, offering new insights and potential therapeutic benefits for managing ANOCA and CMD in women.
Filed Under: Research