About me
Minhal Makshood, MD, is a board-certified general and preventive cardiologist at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center. She treats a broad spectrum of cardiovascular conditions, with particular expertise in women’s health and cardio-obstetrics.
Dr. Makshood focuses on preventing and managing cardiovascular disease in both men and women. Her approach is comprehensive and personalized, integrating lifestyle changes such as exercise, stress management, and nutrition with evidence-based therapies and advanced diagnostic tools. She offers individualized and culturally sensitive counseling to support sustainable changes that promote long-term heart health. With Level III training in echocardiography and transesophageal echocardiography, she performs and interprets advanced cardiac imaging with precision, ensuring accurate diagnoses and informed treatment decisions.
A specialist in women’s cardiovascular health and cardio-obstetrics, Dr. Makshood is deeply committed to improving outcomes for women across the reproductive lifespan, particularly in addressing the rising rates of maternal morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disease. She counsels women with pre-existing cardiac disease on the safety of pregnancy and provides close monitoring before, after, and during pregnancy, including guiding labor and delivery and postpartum care. In collaboration with maternal-fetal physicians, she treats a wide variety of pregnancy-related cardiac conditions such as preeclampsia, hypertensive disorders, heart failure, and cardiomyopathy of various etiologies. Overall, Dr. Makshood has a unique understanding of the presentation of cardiac disease in women and how hormonal changes, particularly in menopause, affect cardiac risk.
Dr. Makshood’s research centers on pregnancy-related cardiovascular disease and ethnic disparities in heart health. She is especially passionate about reducing risk factors in South Asian populations, who are disproportionately affected by premature coronary artery disease. Her work has been published in peer-reviewed journals such as Atherosclerosis, Cardiovascular Risk Reports, and JACC: Case Reports, and she has presented at international conferences, including the Cardiac Problems in Pregnancy (CPP) meeting.
Dr. Makshood completed her medical training at Albany Medical College, where she was inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha honor society. She then did her residency at Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine, where she was selected to serve as Chief Resident. After her residency, she completed a three-year general cardiology fellowship with specialized training in women’s health and cardio-obstetrics. She went on to do a one-year advanced fellowship training in advanced imaging with a focus on echocardiography and nuclear imaging.
Throughout her career, Dr. Makshood has been recognized for her clinical excellence, research contributions, outstanding character, and integrity. She received the Lou and Nancy Endowed Research Fellowship to support her research during her fellowship at Johns Hopkins and the Hynson Howell Marwell, Jr. Scholarship for embodying qualities such as respect and dedication to helping others from diverse backgrounds.
She is a member of the American Medical Association, the American College of Cardiology, the American Society of Echocardiography, and the American Heart Association.
Philosophy of Care
“I believe that every patient, regardless of gender, race, socioeconomic status, or background, deserves compassionate, personalized, and high-quality cardiovascular care. My guiding philosophy centers on health equity, cultural humility, and patient empowerment, with a particular commitment to addressing the unique cardiovascular risks faced by women, especially during and after pregnancy, and by racially marginalized communities."
Clinical areas of focus
- Abnormal Breathing
- Blood Pressure Monitoring
- Chest Pain
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Hypertension
- Personal History Of Diseases And Conditions
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Sleep Disorders
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abnormal Body Structure Imaging
- Abnormal Breathing
- Abnormal Function Study Results
- Abnormal Heart Rhythm
- Acute Coronary Syndrome
- Acute Endocarditis
- Acute Ischemic Heart Diseases
- Acute Myocardial Infarction
- Amyloidosis
- Angina
- Angina Pectoris
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Aortic Regurgitation
- Aortic Stenosis
- Aortic Valve Disease
- Arrhythmia
- Arterial Embolism
- Artery Disorders
- Atherosclerosis
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Atrial Flutter
- Atrioventricular Block
- Benign Neoplasm Of Intrathoracic Organs
- Bradycardia
- Cardiac Arrest
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
- Cardiac Murmurs
- Cardiac Sarcoidosis
- Cardiac Tamponade
- Cardiomyopathy
- Cerebrovascular Diseases
- Chest Pain
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Circulatory System Complications
- Circulatory System Disorders
- Cocaine Related Disorders
- Complications Of Cardiac And Vascular Prosthetic Devices
- Complications Of The Puerperium
- Complications Of Transplanted Organs And Tissue
- Congenital Malformation Syndromes Affecting Multiple Systems
- Congenital Malformations Of Great Arteries
- Congenital Malformations Of Heart
- Congenital Malformations Of Musculoskeletal System
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Coronary Artery Spasm
- Cough
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Disorders Of Lipoprotein Metabolism And Lipidemias
- Dyspnea On Exertion
- Family History Of Disabilities And Chronic Diseases
- Gout
- Heart Attack
- Heart Block
- Heart Disease
- Heart Disease In Women
- Heart Failure
- Heart Murmur
- Heart Palpitations
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Hypertension
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Hypotension
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
- Ischemic Heart Disease
- Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
- Long Term Drug Therapy
- Mitral Regurgitation
- Mitral Valve Disease
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Myocardial Infarction
- Myocarditis
- Nervous And Musculoskeletal Symptoms
- Pain In Throat And Chest
- Palpitations
- Pericardium Diseases
- Peripheral Artery Disease
- Peripheral Vascular Diseases
- Personal History Of Diseases And Conditions
- Personal Risk Factors
- Postprocedural States
- Precerebral Artery Occlusion
- Presence Of Cardiac And Vascular Implants
- Problems Related To Lifestyle
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Pulmonary Heart Disease
- Respiratory Disorders
- Rheumatic Heart Disease
- Sarcoidosis
- Shock
- Shortness Of Breath
- Sick Sinus Syndrome
- Sleep Disorders
- Supraventricular Tachycardia
- Syncope
- Systemic Connective Tissue Involvement
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Tachycardia
- Transient Cerebral Ischemic Attacks
- Transplanted Organ And Tissue Status
- Tricuspid Stenosis
- Venous Embolism
- Ventricular Arrhythmia
- Ventricular Fibrillation
- Ventricular Septal Defect
- Ventricular Tachycardia
Procedures I perform
- Ablation For Atrial Fibrillation
- Ablation Therapy
- Angioplasty
- Aortic Dissection Repair
- Atherectomy
- Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
- Atrial Septal Defect Closure
- Blood Pressure Monitoring
- Cardiac Angioplasty
- Cardiac Biopsy
- Cardiac Catheterization
- Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Cardiovascular Disease Prevention
- Cardiovascular Disease Screening
- Cardioversion
- Carotid Artery Stenting
- Carotid Endarterectomy
- Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Test
- Cholesterol Screening
- Coronary Angioplasty
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- Coronary Artery Disease Management
- Coronary Artery Disease Treatment
- Coronary Artery Stenting
- Coronary Stenting
- Echocardiography
- Electrocardiogram
- Electrophysiology Study
- Event Monitoring
- Exercise Stress Test
- Extended Ecg Analysis
- External Electrocardiographic Recording
- Heart Biopsy
- Heart Failure Management
- Heart Failure Treatment
- Heart Murmur Treatment
- Heart Rhythm Monitoring
- Holter Monitoring
- Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator
- Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator (ICD) Implantation
- Implantable Loop Recorder
- Intra-Aortic Balloon Pump
- Intravascular Ultrasound
- Lipid Profile
- Mitral Valve Repair
- Myocardial Infarction Treatment
- Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
- Nuclear Stress Test
- Pacemaker Interrogation
- Palpitation Treatment
- Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
- Peripheral Angioplasty
- Permanent Pacemaker Insertion
- Preventive Cardiology
- Pulmonary Embolism Treatment
- Pulmonary Valve Replacement
- Pulmonary Vein Isolation
- Radiofrequency Ablation
- Renal Artery Stenting
- Stent Placement
- Stress Test
- Supraventricular Tachycardia (SVT) Ablation
- Syncope Treatment
- Tilt Table Test
- Transesophageal Echocardiography
- Transthoracic Echocardiography
- Tricuspid Valve Repair
- Ventricular Assist Device
- 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
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- HighMark
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Aetna VA Exchange
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- IH-POS
- IH-Open HMO
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Core Essential (HMO)
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- TRICARE East Select
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Navigate
- IH-PPO
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Beech Street PPO
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- First Health PPO
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- IH-Open HMO Option
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Choice Fund PPO
- Choice POS
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Choice
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- CareFirst NASCO
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst EPO
- IH-Open POS Plus
- HumanaChoice PPO
- IH-POS Plus
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- CIGNA EPO
- Choice POS II
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- CareFirst Administrators
- Medicare FFS
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Police and Fire Clinic
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Employee Health Plan
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- TRICARE for Life East
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Aetna Basic
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- IH-EPO Plus
- Medicare Direct
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Optimum Choice
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- HealthyBlue PPO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- POS OA
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Network OA
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- United Student Resources
- Choice POS II Open Access
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- UHC Passport
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- IH-Indemnity
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- IH-HMO
- IH-Open POS II
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- CIGNA PPO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Sentara Health
- TRICARE East Prime
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Aetna HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- First Health PPO
- BlueChoice Open Access
- OA Plus
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease
Fellowship: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2025)
Fellowship: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (2024)
Residency: Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center-GME/Registrar (2020)
Medical School: Albany Medical College (2017)