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
- Blood Pressure Monitoring
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abnormal Breathing
- 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
- Artery Disorders
- Atherosclerosis
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Atrial Flutter
- Atrioventricular Block
- Bradycardia
- Cardiac Arrest
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
- Cardiac Murmurs
- Cardiac Sarcoidosis
- Cardiac Tamponade
- Cardiomyopathy
- Cerebrovascular Diseases
- Chest Pain
- Cocaine Related Disorders
- Complications Of Cardiac And Vascular Prosthetic Devices
- Complications Of Procedures
- Congenital Malformations Of Great Arteries
- Congenital Malformations Of Heart
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Coronary Artery Spasm
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Disorders Of Autonomic Nervous System
- Disorders Of Lipoprotein Metabolism And Lipidemias
- Dyspnea On Exertion
- Heart Attack
- Heart Block
- Heart Disease
- Heart Disease In Women
- 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
- Palpitations
- Pericardium Diseases
- Peripheral Artery Disease
- Peripheral Vascular Diseases
- Presence Of Cardiac And Vascular Implants
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Pulmonary Heart Disease
- Rheumatic Heart Disease
- Sarcoidosis
- Shortness Of Breath
- Sick Sinus Syndrome
- Supraventricular Tachycardia
- Syncope
- Tachycardia
- Transient Cerebral Ischemic Attacks
- Tricuspid Stenosis
- Venous Embolism
- Ventricular Arrhythmia
- Ventricular Fibrillation
- Ventricular Septal Defect
- Ventricular Tachycardia
Procedures I perform
- Ablation For Atrial Fibrillation
- Ablation Therapy
- Angioplasty
- 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
- Cholesterol Screening
- Coronary Angioplasty
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- Coronary Artery Disease Management
- Coronary Artery Disease Treatment
- Coronary Artery Stenting
- Coronary Stenting
- 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
- Myocardial Infarction Treatment
- Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
- Nuclear Stress Test
- Pacemaker Interrogation
- Palpitation Treatment
- Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
- 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
- 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
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- CareFirst Administrators
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- CIGNA EPO
- OA Plus
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Aetna Classic 3500
- IH-Network Only Plus
- TRICARE for Life East
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- TRICARE East Select
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Aetna Basic
- IH-EPO Plus
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- UHC Passport
- IH-POS
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Core Essential (HMO)
- IH-POS Plus
- First Health PPO
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Blue Choice Advantage
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- TRICARE East Prime
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- IH-HMO
- Beech Street PPO
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- IH-Open HMO Option
- MultiPlan, Inc
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Aetna HMO
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Optimum Choice
- IH-Open HMO
- IH-PPO
- Tricare Reserve Select
- United Student Resources
- Choice Fund PPO
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Medicare Direct
- Aetna VA Exchange
- POS OA
- CIGNA PPO
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Navigate
- Choice POS II
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- IH-Indemnity
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Medicare FFS
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- IH-Open POS II
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 5000
- First Health PPO
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice
- HealthyBlue PPO
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Choice POS
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- HighMark
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Employee Health Plan
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Sentara Health
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- CareFirst EPO
- CareFirst NASCO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Network OA
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- HumanaChoice PPO
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- IH-Open POS Plus
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- OCI Direct (HMO)
Videos
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
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)