About me
Christopher W. Puleo, MD is a noninvasive cardiologist at MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute. He is board certified in internal medicine and board certified in cardiovascular disease, adult echocardiography, and nuclear cardiology.
As a noninvasive cardiologist, Dr. Puleo diagnoses and treats a broad spectrum of cardiovascular health conditions, including coronary artery disease, cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, and valvular disease. He predominantly sees patients in the outpatient setting in addition to performing routine inpatient cardiovascular consultations for patients admitted to MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He incorporates his experience with a variety of cardiac imaging modalities, including echocardiography and nuclear stress testing, to further risk stratify patients for a wide range of cardiac conditions.
Dr. Puleo’s main clinical interest is in preventive care – he emphasizes the importance of preventing disease, not just treating it. He has a strong interest in working with patients to identify and incorporate healthy lifestyle choices that they enjoy to both treat and prevent cardiac disease before it reaches advanced stages. Dr. Puleo’s research interests are also focused on preventive cardiology and include cardiac biomarkers and cardiac risk stratification. He is very excited by the continuous development of new medicines and interventions in the field of cardiology.
Dr. Puleo earned his medical degree from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. He then completed an internal medicine internship and residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, before joining Ochsner Clinic Foundation for a three-year cardiovascular disease fellowship program.
Dr. Puleo is excited to be living in the DC area, the closest he has been in recent years to his family in the Northeast. It is also very special for him to have the opportunity to practice medicine in the region where his grandfather was a physician many years ago.
Philosophy of Care
“Medicine is both an art and a science. Physicians go through training for years and years to master that science, but it’s all for nothing unless you're able to build a relationship with your patient.
“As cardiologists, we’re not here to tell people, ‘you need to do this’ or ‘you need to stop eating that.’ We’re here to make recommendations and to work with patients to help them meet their health goals and live the lives they want.
“My goal is to help all of my patients feel better, live longer, manage their conditions, and prevent future disease. I believe the best way to do all of the above is by building a strong patient-physician partnership and working together to achieve the health goals of the individual patient, whether that’s playing with grandkids or running marathons.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Atrial Flutter
- Blood Pressure Monitoring
- Cardiac Echo
- Cardiomyopathy
- Chest Pain
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Heart Disease
- Heart Murmur
- High Cholesterol Management
- Holter Monitoring
- Hypertension
- Hypertension Treatment
- Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
- Lymphedema
- Myocardial Infarction
- Nuclear Stress Test
- Stress Echocardiography
- Transthoracic Echocardiography
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abnormal Body Structure Imaging
- Abnormal Breathing
- Abnormal Function Study Results
- Abnormal Heart Rhythm
- Acute Bacterial Endocarditis
- Acute Myocardial Infarction
- Advanced Heart Failure
- Advanced Heart Failure (ADHF)
- Advanced Heart Failure (AHF)
- Advanced Heart Failure Care
- Amphetamine Addiction
- Amyloidosis
- Angina
- Angina Pectoris
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Aortic Regurgitation
- Aortic Stenosis
- Aortic Valve Disease
- Aortic Valve Disorders
- Aortic Valve Regurgitation
- Artery Disorders
- Atherosclerosis
- Atherosclerosis Of Aorta
- Atherosclerotic Disease
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Atrial Flutter
- Atrioventricular Block
- Bicuspid Aortic Valve
- Bleeding Disorders
- Bradycardia
- Bundle Branch Block
- Cardiac Arrest
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
- Cardiac Murmurs
- Cardiomyopathy
- Cardiovascular Disorders Of Newborn
- Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia
- Cellulitis
- Cerebrovascular Diseases
- Chest Pain
- Chronic Eosinophilic Leukemia
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension
- Circulatory System Disorders
- Clotting Disorders
- Complications Of Cardiac And Vascular Prosthetic Devices
- Congenital Heart Valve Defects
- Congenital Malformations Of Great Arteries
- Congenital Malformations Of Heart
- Congenital Malformations Of Musculoskeletal System
- Congenital Malformations Of Peripheral Vascular System
- Congenital Malformations Of Pulmonary And Tricuspid Valves
- Congenital Malformations Of Trachea And Bronchus
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Cough
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Disorders Of Lipoprotein Metabolism And Lipidemias
- Dyspnea On Exertion
- Eisenmenger Syndrome
- Electrical Conduction Disorders
- Fibromuscular Dysplasia
- Heart Attack
- Heart Block
- Heart Disease
- Heart Disease In Women
- Heart Murmur
- Heart Palpitations
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Hypertension
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Hypotension
- Iliac Artery Blockage
- Interstitial Lung Disease
- Intracranial Aneurysm
- Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
- Ischemic Heart Disease
- Kawasaki Disease
- Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
- Liver Enzyme Abnormalities
- Long Term Drug Therapy
- Lymphangitis
- Lymphedema
- Mitral Regurgitation
- Mitral Valve Disease
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Mitral Valve Stenosis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Myocardial Infarction
- Nervous And Musculoskeletal Symptoms
- Nonrheumatic Mitral Valve Disease
- Obesity
- Pain In Throat And Chest
- Palpitations
- Paroxysmal Ventricular Tachycardia
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus
- Patent Foramen Ovale
- Pericardium Diseases
- Peripheral Artery Disease
- Peripheral Vascular Diseases
- Poisoning
- Polyarteritis Nodosa
- Postprocedural States
- Precerebral Artery Occlusion
- Premature Atrial Contraction
- Premature Atrial Contractions
- Premature Atrial Contractions (PACS)
- Premature Ventricular Contractions
- Presence Of Cardiac And Vascular Implants
- Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
- Problems Related To Lifestyle
- Pulmonary Edema
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Pulmonary Heart Disease
- Pulmonary Valve Disorders
- Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
- Retinal Vein Occlusion
- Rheumatic Heart Disease
- Rheumatic Tricuspid Valve Disease
- Sarcoidosis
- Secondary Hypertension
- Shock
- Sick Sinus Syndrome
- Single Ventricle Heart Defects
- Sleep Disorders
- Subcortical Infarction
- Supraventricular Tachycardia
- Swelling In Legs
- Syncope
- Systemic Connective Tissue Involvement
- Tachycardia
- Thyrotoxic Crisis
- Transient Cerebral Ischemic Attacks
- Tricuspid Stenosis
- Turner Syndrome
- Valve Disease With Congestive Heart Failure
- Varicose Veins Of Lower Extremities
- Venous Embolism
- Venous Thromboembolism
- Ventricular Aneurysm
- Ventricular Fibrillation
- Ventricular Tachycardia
- Vision Disturbances
Procedures I perform
- Ablation For Atrial Fibrillation
- Angioplasty
- Aortic Dissection Repair
- Aortic Stenosis Treatment
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
- Atrial Septal Defect Repair
- Automated External Defibrillator
- Blood Pressure Monitoring
- Cardiac Arrhythmia Monitoring
- Cardiac Catheterization
- Cardiac Device Implantation
- Cardiac Echo
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Study
- Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy With Pacemaker
- Cardiac Rhythm Monitoring
- Cardiovascular Stress Testing
- Cardioversion
- Carotid Artery Aneurysm Repair
- Carotid Artery Stenting
- Carotid Endarterectomy
- Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
- Coronary Angioplasty
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- Coronary Artery Disease Treatment
- Coronary Stenting
- Duplex Scan Of Upper Extremity Arteries
- Echocardiography
- Electrocardiogram
- Electrophysiologic Study
- Electrophysiology Study
- Event Monitoring
- External Electrocardiographic Recording
- Heart Failure Treatment
- Heart Pacemaker Implantation
- Heart Transplant
- High Cholesterol Management
- Holter Monitoring
- Hypertension Treatment
- Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Placement
- Intravascular Ultrasound
- Invasive Cardiac Procedures
- Lymphedema
- Mesenteric Angiography
- MRA With Contrast
- Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
- Nuclear Stress Test
- Pacemaker Optimization
- Pacemaker Pulse Generator Insertion
- Peripheral Angioplasty
- Permanent Pacemaker Insertion
- Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome Treatment
- Pressure Flow Study
- Prostate Injury Treatment
- Pulmonary Artery Stenosis Repair
- Renal Artery Stenting
- Stress Echocardiography
- Syncope Treatment
- Transcranial Doppler
- Transesophageal Echocardiography
- Transthoracic Echocardiography
- Twist Drill Hole With Ventricular Catheter
- Unlisted Gastroenterology Procedure
- Ventricular Fibrillation Treatment
- 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
- IH-Open HMO
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- CareFirst Administrators
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- IH-Open POS II
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- IH-Indemnity
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Medicare FFS
- Aetna Basic
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Aetna HMO
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- First Health PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- HighMark
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- CareFirst NASCO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- CIGNA PPO
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Network OA
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- IH-POS Plus
- First Health PPO
- Medicare Direct
- TRICARE East Select
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- TRICARE East Prime
- Tricare Reserve Select
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Navigate
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- IH-PPO
- Choice Fund PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- OA Plus
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- HumanaChoice PPO
- TRICARE for Life East
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- UHC Passport
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- IH-EPO Plus
- United Healthcare Choice
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- POS OA
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Beech Street PPO
- IH-HMO
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- CIGNA EPO
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- IH-POS
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst EPO
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Employee Health Plan
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- United Student Resources
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Choice POS II
- Choice POS II Open Access
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Sentara Health
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Aetna VA Exchange
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- Optimum Choice
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Choice POS
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
Fellowship: Ochsner Foundation Hospital (2022)
Residency: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (2019)
Medical School: Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons (2016)