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
- Medicare FFS
- IH-POS Plus
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Optimum Choice
- HighMark
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- IH-Open POS II
- CareFirst EPO
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Aetna HMO
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- IH-Open HMO
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- First Health PPO
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- TRICARE East Select
- HealthyBlue PPO
- IH-Indemnity
- Sentara Health
- Aetna VA Exchange
- IH-EPO Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- OA Plus
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- CIGNA EPO
- UHC Passport
- TRICARE East Prime
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- IH-PPO
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Medicare Direct
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Network OA
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- United Student Resources
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Navigate
- TRICARE for Life East
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- POS OA
- Beech Street PPO
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- IH-HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Choice POS
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- IH-Network Only Plus
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Choice Fund PPO
- MultiPlan, Inc
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Employee Health Plan
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Choice POS II
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Police and Fire Clinic
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- First Health PPO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Administrators
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- CareFirst NASCO
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- BlueChoice Open Access
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Basic
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- IH-Open HMO Option
- CIGNA PPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Choice
- IH-POS
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
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)