About me
Allen J. Taylor, MD, FACC, FAHA, is Chairman of Cardiology at MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute, including MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington, D.C. Dr. Taylor is a board-certified cardiologist and clinical researcher, specializing in cardiovascular imaging and prevention. He is a member of the corporate Board of Directors for MedStar Health, the leading academic health system in the Washington, D.C and Maryland region.
Dr. Taylor obtained his medical training at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD, followed by internal medicine residency training at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington DC, and a cardiovascular disease fellowship at the University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA. During a 20-year career in the United States Army at Walter Reed, he served as the Director of Cardiovascular Research, Director of the Cardiovascular Disease Training Program, and Chief of the Cardiology service. He retired from military service in 2008 at the rank of Colonel, during which he held the Army's "A" proficiency designator and was decorated with the Legion of Merit. He is a full Professor of Medicine at the Uniformed University of the Health Sciences, Bethesda MD, and Georgetown University, Washington, D.C.
Dr. Taylor's major research accomplishments include defining the role of lipid lowering therapy on carotid atherosclerosis, focusing on HDL cholesterol and the use of niacin. His pioneering work in the field of cardiac CT includes conducting long-term prospective outcomes trials, randomized clinical trials on the utility of the technique, and methods to enhance the safety and appropriateness of cardiovascular imaging. He has published more than 210 manuscripts in the areas of imaging, lipids, prevention, cardiovascular outcomes, and quality in journals, such as Circulation, the Journal of the American Medical Association, and the New England Journal of Medicine. He receives ongoing research funding from various federal and private sources, including the NIH. He is the author and/or editor of 5 books on topics within cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Taylor served as founding Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Cardiovascular CT, and as Editor of the Braunwald's Heart Disease companion text atlas on cardiac CT. He is a Past President of the Society of Atherosclerosis Imaging and Prevention, and within the American College of Cardiology has held the posts of Chair of the Imaging Council, Chair of the FOCUS campaign for Appropriate Use of Cardiovascular Imaging, and member of the Board of Governors. He is a founder of the Society of Cardiovascular CT, serving on its Board of Directors from 2006-2012, and also a founder of the Certification Board of Cardiovascular CT. He serves on the board of directors for Inteleos, an organization leading certification pathways and excellence among cardiovascular imaging experts. His work on national writing groups and task forces includes multi-society guidelines on cardiac CT training, terminology, and performance, quality standards for imaging performance and radiation protection, Appropriate Use Criteria for diagnostic testing, and national standards on cardiovascular disease management and prevention.
Dr. Taylor contributes frequently to media reports as an authority on cardiovascular disease in major regional and national venues such as the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The New York Times, US News and World Report, CNN, Associated Press, Reuters, Forbes, National Public Radio and as a frequent commentator on national video media including Good Morning America, and the NBC and CBS Nightly News programs.
Media Story: Binge Working Increases Risk of Heart Attack (NBC Nightly News)
Clinical areas of focus
- Angiogram
- Blood Pressure Monitoring
- Cardioversion
- Cholesterol Screening
- Event Monitoring
- Holter Monitoring
- Stress Echocardiography
- Stress Test
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abnormal Breathing
- Abnormal Electrocardiogram
- Abnormal Heart Rhythm
- Acute Bacterial Endocarditis
- Acute Coronary Syndrome
- Acute Endocarditis
- Acute Ischemic Heart Diseases
- Acute Myocardial Infarction
- Advanced Heart Failure
- Advanced Heart Failure (ADHF)
- Advanced Heart Failure Care
- Amyloidosis
- Angina
- Angina Pectoris
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Aortic Regurgitation
- Aortic Stenosis
- Aortic Valve Disease
- Aortic Valve Regurgitation
- Artery Disorders
- Atherosclerosis
- Atherosclerosis Of Aorta
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Atrial Flutter
- Atrioventricular Block
- Bicuspid Aortic Valve
- Bradycardia
- Bundle Branch Block
- Cardiac Arrest
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
- Cardiac Murmurs
- Cardiac Sarcoidosis
- Cardiac Tamponade
- Cardiomyopathy
- Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia
- Cerebrovascular Diseases
- Chest Pain
- Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension
- Cocaine Related Disorders
- Complications Of Cardiac And Vascular Prosthetic Devices
- Congenital Heart Valve Defects
- Congenital Malformations Of Great Arteries
- Congenital Malformations Of Great Veins
- Congenital Malformations Of Heart
- Congenital Malformations Of Peripheral Vascular System
- Congenital Malformations Of Pulmonary And Tricuspid Valves
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Disorders Of Lipoprotein Metabolism And Lipidemias
- Dyspnea On Exertion
- Eisenmenger Syndrome
- Electrical Conduction Disorders
- Fibromuscular Dysplasia
- Heart Block
- Heart Disease
- Heart Disease In Women
- Heart Murmur
- Heart Rhythm Disorders
- Heart Valve Disorders
- High Cholesterol
- High Cholesterol Management
- Hypertension
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Hypotension
- Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
- Ischemic Heart Disease
- Kawasaki Disease
- Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
- Long Term Drug Therapy
- Mitral Regurgitation
- Mitral Valve Disease
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Mitral Valve Stenosis
- Myocardial Infarction Complications
- Myocarditis
- Nonrheumatic Mitral Valve Disease
- Palpitations
- Paroxysmal Ventricular Tachycardia
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus
- Patent Foramen Ovale
- Pericardium Diseases
- Peripheral Vascular Diseases
- Premature Atrial Contractions
- Premature Atrial Contractions (PACS)
- Premature Ventricular Contractions
- Presence Of Cardiac And Vascular Implants
- Pulmonary Edema
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Pulmonary Heart Disease
- Pulmonary Valve Disorders
- Pulmonary Vessel Disease
- Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
- Retinal Vein Occlusion
- Rheumatic Heart Disease
- Rheumatic Tricuspid Valve Disease
- Sarcoidosis
- Secondary Hypertension
- Sick Sinus Syndrome
- Single Ventricle Heart Defects
- Supraventricular Tachycardia
- Swelling In Legs
- Syncope
- Tachycardia
- Transient Cerebral Ischemic Attacks
- Tricuspid Stenosis
- Venous Embolism
- Ventricular Aneurysm
- Ventricular Fibrillation
- Ventricular Tachycardia
Procedures I perform
- Ablation For Atrial Fibrillation
- Angiogram
- Angioplasty
- Aortic Stenosis Treatment
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Atrial Appendage Closure
- Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
- Atrial Line Insertion
- Atrial Septal Defect Repair
- Automated External Defibrillator
- Blood Gas Analysis
- Blood Pressure Monitoring
- Cardiac Catheterization
- Cardiac Catheterization Interpretation
- Cardiac Loop Recorder Placement
- Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Cardiac Pacemaker Measurement
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
- Cardiovascular Stress Testing
- Cardioversion
- Cholesterol Screening
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- Coronary Artery Stenting
- Duplex Scan Of Upper Extremity Arteries
- Electrocardiogram
- Electrophysiologic Study
- Electrophysiology Study
- Endomyocardial Biopsy
- Event Monitoring
- Exercise Stress Test
- External Electrocardiographic Recording
- Heart Failure Treatment
- Heart Pacemaker Implantation
- Heart Transplant
- Holter Monitoring
- Hypertension Treatment
- Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
- Intravascular Ultrasound
- Myocardial Infarction Treatment
- Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
- Nuclear Stress Test
- Pacemaker Pulse Generator Insertion
- Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
- Pulmonary Embolism Treatment
- Pulmonary Valve Replacement
- Stress Echocardiography
- Stress Test
- Syncope Treatment
- Transesophageal Echocardiography
- Transthoracic Echocardiography
- Ultrasonography Inferior Vena Cava
- Ventricular Tachycardia Ablation
Insurance
MedStar Health accepts most major health insurance plans. If you are uncertain as to whether your individual health insurance plan is accepted at MedStar Health, please call your insurance company.
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List of insurance plans we accept
- TRICARE East Select
- Choice POS
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Optimum Choice
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- IH-POS Plus
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Medicare FFS
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- First Health PPO
- IH-POS
- Beech Street PPO
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- IH-Open POS II
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- IH-EPO Plus
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- IH-HMO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- United Healthcare Choice
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- IH-Open HMO
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- TRICARE for Life East
- UHC Passport
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Aetna Basic
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- MultiPlan, Inc
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Medicare Direct
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- HealthyBlue PPO
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- CareFirst Administrators
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Navigate
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- CareFirst NASCO
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- IH-PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- CareFirst EPO
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Network OA
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- First Health PPO
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- United Student Resources
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- IH-Indemnity
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- OA Plus
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Employee Health Plan
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- HighMark
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Sentara Health
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 5000
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Aetna HMO
- Choice Fund PPO
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- CIGNA PPO
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- POS OA
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Choice POS II
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- CIGNA EPO
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- TRICARE East Prime
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
Videos
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease
Fellowship: University of Virginia School of Medicine (1994)
Residency: Walter Reed National Military Medical Center (1991)
Medical School: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (1988)
Hospital affiliations
News and publications
Blogs
Stress: As dangerous as high cholesterol and blood pressure
The 'other' drug problem: Poor medication adherence
The surprising heart risks of too much sleep and exercise
Know your heart-healthy numbers‚ including CRP
How much caffeine is safe for you and your child?
Why I think it's time to make statins available over-the-counter
5 ways to help a patient with heart disease
Shared decision-making: It's no longer 'doctor knows best'
What do the new blood pressure guidelines mean?