Paulina Skaff, MD| Cardiovascular Disease | MedStar Health
About me
Paulina Skaff, MD, is a noninvasive cardiologist at MedStar Cardiology Associates at Annapolis. She is board-certified in cardiology, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, and internal medicine.
Dr. Skaff treats patients for general heart-related diseases such as coronary heart disease, heart failure, hypertension, valvular disorders, atrial fibrillation, and lipid disorders. With specialized fellowship training in women’s cardiovascular health, her clinical interests include coronary microvascular dysfunction, spontaneous coronary artery dissection (SCAD), myocardial infarction with non-obstructive coronary arteries (MINOCA), ischemia with non-obstructive coronary arteries (INOCA), and cardiovascular disease during pregnancy.
Recognizing that every patient is unique, Dr. Skaff takes a holistic, patient-centered approach to care, developing individualized care plans that integrate prevention, advanced cardiovascular diagnostics, and evidence-based treatment strategies. She actively educates patients on the latest prevention strategies, optimizes appropriate screenings, and manages cardiovascular disease through lifestyle interventions, such as diet and physical activity, as well as medications when appropriate.
Dr. Skaff earned her medical degree from the Marshall University Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine. Next, she completed her residency in internal medicine and fellowship in general cardiology at West Virginia University. She went on to conduct a special fellowship in women’s heart and preventive cardiology at Cedars Sinai Women’s Heart Center, where she served as Chief Fellow.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Skaff keeps her own heart healthy by taking pilates and barre classes and walking her dog Echo (named after echocardiogram).
Philosophy of Care
“I know that patients can often feel overwhelmed by the amount of information they receive, which is why I prioritize clear and consistent communication. It’s important that we are on the same page so we can make decisions together that align with their personal needs, life circumstances, and goals. I believe everyone deserves access to high-quality care, and I am deeply committed to addressing health disparities. Above all, I want my patients to know that we are a team, working together every step of the way.”
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 Procedures
- 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 Autonomic Nervous System
- Disorders Of Lipoprotein Metabolism And Lipidemias
- Disorders Of White Blood Cells
- Dyspnea On Exertion
- Emergency Use Of U07
- Emotional State Symptoms
- 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
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- IH-EPO Plus
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- Navigate
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- IH-Open HMO
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Beech Street PPO
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- HighMark
- Aetna Basic
- IH-Indemnity
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- MultiPlan, Inc
- UHC Passport
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- HealthyBlue PPO
- IH-POS Plus
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- United Student Resources
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- IH-POS
- Medicare FFS
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- CIGNA PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Choice Fund PPO
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Employee Health Plan
- Choice POS
- United Healthcare Choice
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- IH-Open POS II
- First Health PPO
- Medicare Direct
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- First Health PPO
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- BlueChoice Open Access
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Sentara Health
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- IH-Open POS Plus
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- IH-HMO
- POS OA
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- CareFirst EPO
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- TRICARE East Prime
- CIGNA EPO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Choice POS II
- CareFirst NASCO
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- Optimum Choice
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- OA Plus
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- TRICARE East Select
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- TRICARE for Life East
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Network OA
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- CareFirst Administrators
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- IH-PPO
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Aetna HMO
Education
Residency: West Virginia University Hospitals (2021)
Medical Education: Marshall University School of Medicine (2018)