Laura Ross, PA-C, CLS, AACC, is a physician assistant and clinical lipid specialist in cardiology at the Park Nicollet Heart and Vascular Center in St. Louis Park, MN. She is a member of ACC's Interventional Leadership Council and the Prevention Work Group, and she is president of the Academy of Physician Associates in Cardiology.

Laura Ross, PA-C

The APAC Recap: Peripheral Artery Disease at CAPP Live 2024 with Bob Ross, PA-C  

, host Laura Ross, PA-C, president of the Academy of Physician Associates in Cardiology (APAC), is joined by Bob Ross, PA-C, chair of APAC’s vascular medicine committee and a leading expert in 

, to discuss updates on PAD from the inaugural CAPP Live 2024 conference.

The discussion centered on recent updates in PAD diagnosis and management, including key takeaways from Ross’ conference presentation, which highlighted symptoms and risk factors for PAD based on new guidelines from the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association. Emphasizing the importance of early detection, Ross offered actionable insights, such as testing those over 50 with diabetes or on statin therapy for PAD and conducting ankle-brachial index (ABI) tests on high-risk patients.

Ross also introduced a validated 9-question screening tool he has been utilizing for more than 25 years, to identify PAD risk factors and symptoms before they become clinically apparent. By implementing such tools, he noted providers can catch PAD earlier and initiate preventative care. Ross also shared practical tips on performing ABIs without advanced equipment and leveraging diagnostic codes for reimbursement, stressing that early intervention can prevent serious complications.

The conversation also explored disparities in PAD care, such as underutilization of statins and aspirin in vulnerable populations, and highlighted educational opportunities through the Society for Vascular Medicine’s annual conference. Ross and Ross concluded by celebrating the critical role PAs play in advancing vascular health and ensuring patients receive comprehensive, preventative care.

All episodes of The APAC Recap will be available on HCPLive.com and our 

For more PAD screening resources from APAC, view the below PAD questionnaire. For more on the Society for Vascular Medicine 2025 course, check out the below information. 

Videos

The discussion focused on recent advancements in peripheral arterial disease (PAD) diagnosis and management, emphasizing early detection and intervention. Key insights included testing high-risk individuals, such as those over 50 with diabetes or on statin therapy, and using ankle-brachial index (ABI) tests. A validated 9-question screening tool was introduced to identify PAD risk factors early. The conversation also addressed disparities in PAD care, particularly the underutilization of statins and aspirin in vulnerable populations, and highlighted educational opportunities for healthcare providers to improve vascular health outcomes.

Bob Ross, PA-C, shares expert insights on early PAD detection, updated guidelines, and practical tools to improve vascular health outcomes from CAPP 2024.






The APAC Recap: Lifestyle Medicine at CAPP Live 2024 with Laura Ross, PA-C

, host Viet Le, DMSc, PA-C, a preventive cardiology PA at Intermountain Health and the former president of the Academy of Physician Associates in Cardiology (APAC), interviewed Laura Ross, PA-C, APAC's current president and director of the Heart Disease Prevention and Lipid Clinic at the Park Nicollet Heart & Vascular Center. Ross reflected on her experience presenting at the inaugural Cardiology Advanced Practice Providers (CAPP) meeting, where she highlighted the role of lifestyle medicine in improving 

. She discussed how dietary modifications, particularly plant-based and whole grain options, have led to significant health improvements, including reduced blood pressure, weight loss, and lower cholesterol levels, in patients at her clinic.

Ross emphasized the importance of shifting focus from restrictive diets to positive guidance on food choices, advocating for whole food and plant-based options over supplements, which she notes are often overused and lack robust data for health benefits. She also provides practical tips for PAs and nurse practitioners on integrating lifestyle changes with pharmacologic treatments, especially in managing patients with high cholesterol who may require non-statin therapies. The episode concluded with a discussion on current trends and guidelines, including the efforts of the American College of Cardiology (ACC) to promote practical dietary changes, and Ross’s insights on group visits, and insurance reimbursement for non-statin therapies in specific cases.

In a recent discussion, Laura Ross, PA-C, emphasized the role of lifestyle medicine in cardiovascular health, particularly through dietary modifications like plant-based and whole grain options. She highlighted the benefits of focusing on positive food choices rather than restrictive diets, advocating for whole foods over supplements. Ross also provided practical advice for integrating lifestyle changes with pharmacologic treatments, especially for patients needing non-statin therapies. The conversation included current trends and guidelines, such as the American College of Cardiology's efforts to promote practical dietary changes.

Laura Ross, PA-C, shares insights from the inaugural CAPP meeting on how lifestyle medicine and targeted therapies are transforming cardiovascular care.

The APAC Recap: Dyslipidemia at CAPP Live 2024 with Viet Le, DMSc, PA-C

, Laura Ross, PA-C, president of the Academy of Physician Associates in Cardiology (APAC), welcomed Viet Le, DMSc, PA-C, immediate past president of APAC, to recap his presentations at the inaugural Cardiology Advanced Practice Providers (CAPP) Live 2024 conference. Le, a preventive cardiology PA at Intermountain Health, shares insights from his sessions covering lipid management, metabolic dysfunction, liver disease, and chest pain guidelines, focusing particularly on lipid strategies for the APAC audience.

One major point he discussed is the 2022 American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology (ACC) expert consensus pathway for non-statin therapies, emphasizing the importance of reclassifying high-risk patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). Le advised cardiology PAs and NPs to recognize those with very high-risk ASCVD profiles and to aim for an LDL-cholesterol target (LDL-C) of ≤55 mg/dL, beyond standard statin therapy, using options like ezetimibe, bempedoic acid, and PCSK9 inhibitors.

A highlight from Le’s presentation was his advice on managing statin intolerance, a common referral reason in preventive cardiology. He discussed the benefits of pitavastatin, a lesser-known statin with a high success rate in patients who experience myalgia on other statins. Le explained that pitavastatin’s unique formulation, originating from research by a Japanese pharmaceutical company, makes it an effective alternative for lipid lowering in statin-intolerant patients, reducing LDL-C levels by 30–49% when used at 2 or 4 mg, especially when combined with ezetimibe or bempedoic acid.

To conclude, Le reviewed the 2022 expert consensus on non-statin therapies and discussed the importance of risk-enhancing factors, particularly in women with conditions like preeclampsia or premature menopause, which are often overlooked yet critical in risk assessment. Their discussion emphasizes practical, evidence-based approaches to lipid management, equipping cardiology providers to optimize patient care.

All episodes of The APAC Recap will be available on HCPLive.com and on our 

Laura Ross and Viet Le discuss key insights from the inaugural CAPP Live 2024 conference, focusing on lipid management strategies for cardiology advanced practice providers. Le highlights the 2022 AHA/ACC consensus on non-statin therapies, emphasizing the reclassification of high-risk ASCVD patients and targeting LDL-C levels of ≤55 mg/dL. He also addresses managing statin intolerance with pitavastatin, a viable alternative for patients experiencing myalgia. The discussion underscores the importance of recognizing risk-enhancing factors, particularly in women, to optimize lipid management and patient care.

Past APAC President Viet Le shares insights from CAPP 2024 on managing high-risk ASCVD, new non-statin therapies, and options for statin-intolerant patients.








Viet Le, DMSc, PA-C, and Laura Ross, PA-C, discuss the role of APPs in collaborative management of rheumatic disease and cardiovascular disease.

APAC Recap: RhAPP 5th Annual National Conference, with Laura Ross, PA-C

, host Viet Le, DMSc, PA-C, a preventive cardiology PA at Intermountain Health and the former president of the 

Academy of Physician Associates in Cardiology (APAC)

, is joined by Laura Ross, PA-C, clinical lipid specialist and current president of APAC, to discuss her recent experience at the Rheumatology Advanced Practice Providers (RhAPP) national conference, which was held in Nashville, TN from September 26 - 28, 2024. During the meeting, Ross played the part of attendee and presenter as she played a key role during a workshop on the final afternoon of the meeting.

In the episode, Ross shares key insights from her presentation, "Heart Under Attack: The Intersection of Autoimmune Disease and Cardiology," which focused on the significant cardiovascular risks faced by patients with autoimmune conditions like lupus, 

, and psoriasis. Ross explains how the fact that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in these patients often goes overlooked and emphasizes the need for cardiologists and rheumatologists to collaborate in their care.

Later in the episode, Ross highlights the unique structure of the RhAPP conference, with interdisciplinary sessions on the overlap between rheumatology and other specialties, such as dermatology, ophthalmology, and pulmonology. She also discusses hands-on workshops, such as joint injection training and practical boot camps for new rheumatology providers. Ross and Le conclude with a practical discussion on how cardiology providers can better support rheumatology colleagues and ensure patients receive comprehensive care.

All episodes of The APAC Recap will be available on HCPLive.com and on our 

Are you an APP interested in learning more about cardiology? Click the image below for more information on CAPP Live 2024!

The episode features a discussion between Viet Le and Laura Ross on the intersection of autoimmune diseases and cardiology, emphasizing the cardiovascular risks for patients with conditions like lupus and rheumatoid arthritis. Ross underscores the importance of collaboration between cardiologists and rheumatologists. She also highlights the interdisciplinary nature of the RhAPP conference, which includes sessions on rheumatology's overlap with other specialties and hands-on workshops. The episode concludes with strategies for cardiology providers to enhance support for rheumatology colleagues and ensure comprehensive patient care.

APAC President Laura Ross, PA-C, shares insights from the RhAPP conference, discussing autoimmune disease, cardiovascular risks, and the importance of interdisciplinary care.

Laura Ross, PA-C

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