Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

Contributing Writer https://www.thecardiologyadvisor.com

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC, is an Atlanta-based journalist, licensed psychotherapist, and Ayurvedic health coach, creator of the body-positive wellness company Bettie Page Fitness, and author of 2 books – The Little Book of Bettie: Taking a Page from the Queen of Pinups and Bettie Page: The Lost Years. She holds a BS in psychology from Georgia State University and an MA in counseling psychology from the Georgia School of Professional Psychology. Tori has also managed a medical practice and was instrumental in developing Georgia’s multispecialty telemedicine program. Photograph courtesy of Brooklyn Brat Images.

All articles by Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

2015 saw a great leap forward in the development and use of PCSK9 (proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin) inhibitors. This past July, the FDA approved alirocumab (Praluent, Regeneron), followed 1 month later by the approval of a second PCSK9 inhibitor evolocumab (Repatha, Amgen). The drugs were approved for use in addition to diet and maximally tolerated statin therapy in adult patients with heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia or those with clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease requiring additional LDL-C lowering. A third drug, bococizumab (Pfizer), is currently in development. Data from large, long-term randomized controlled outcomes trials—ODYSSEY Outcomes (alirocumab), FOURIER (evolocumab), and SPIRE (bococizumab)—are anticipated to provide clear answers as to the drugs' impact on cardiovascular events and safety profiles. –from "The Promise of PSCK9 Inhibitors by Brian Ellis,” published 11/9/15.

Dyslipidemia

Expert Q&A: Reassessing Risk-Based LDL-C Targets

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

October 22, 2020

Lipid-lowering therapies are key to the prevention of cardiovascular (CV) events and CV-related mortality.

Heart Failure

Peripheral Determinants of Oxygen Utilization During Exercise in HFpEF

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

September 24, 2020

Patients with HFpEF have substantial exercise intolerance, which may be due to peripheral factors.

Pulmonary Vasculature

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension Associated With CHD: Developments in Treatments, Remaining Gaps According to Experts

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

August 17, 2020

PAH associated with CHD is linked to significant reductions in survival and quality of life, especially for patients progressing to Eisenmenger syndrome.

General Cardiology

Sleep Duration and CVD Risk

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

July 9, 2020

Only 65.2% of adults surveyed in United States in 2014 reported that they consistently get at least 7 hours of sleep each night.

Patients are often unaware of their increased CV risk related to RA. One study found 95% of patients with RA stratified as having a high risk of CVD underestimated their risk.17 Data show patients with RA are less likely to report angina symptoms, which increases their chances of an unrecognized MI or sudden cardiac death and decreases their likelihood of getting a needed coronary artery bypass graft.18 Some studies have shown interventions to educate RA patients about their risk of CVD have the potential to increase screening for CV risk by PCPs and treatment.19,20 Results from other studies have been less positive. One trial found although educational interventions improved patients’ understanding of their CV risk and prompted intentions to make lifestyle changes, patients did not carry through with their stated intentions.21 Nevertheless, patients should be made aware of all important aspects of their disease.

CHD

Favoring the Concept of Chronic CAD Over Stable CAD

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

June 23, 2020

Individuals with CAD who have not experienced a recent CV event are generally considered to have stable CAD.

ACS

Examining Challenges Associated With the Management of ACS in Rural Areas

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

February 10, 2020

Although mortality rates associated with cardiovascular disease have decreased significantly in high-income countries in recent decades, substantial challenges related to CVD treatment and outcomes persist in rural areas.

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Arrhythmia

Assessing the Risk for Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

December 17, 2019

According to recent estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, stroke affects more than 795,000 individuals in the United States annually and represents the fifth leading cause of death in the country.1 Stroke is also associated with substantial long-term disability and with costs estimated at $34 billion each year. Atrial fibrillation (AF), which…

General Cardiology

Cardiac Manifestations of Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

August 23, 2019

Jemima Albayda, MD, discusses the cardiac complications in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies.

Dyslipidemia

The “Good Cholesterol” Myth of HDL: A Clinical Update

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

August 1, 2019

Although high-density lipoprotein cholesterol has been deemed the “good cholesterol,” this label may be misleading and outdated given that there is little evidence to support a causal relationship with CVD risk reduction.

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Pulmonary Vasculature

Widening the Definition and Use of Palliative Care in PAH

Tori Rodriguez, MA, LPC, AHC

April 5, 2019

The most recent CHEST guidelines on pulmonary arterial hypertension treatment support the integration of palliative care, noting significant improvements in outcomes observed in other pulmonary diseases, including lung cancer.

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