Syed Waqas Haider, MBBS MD MPH

Provider is directly employed by MedStar Health

Syed Waqas Haider, MD, MPH, FACC, is Director of the Pericardial Disease Program at MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute and a board-certified cardiologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and MedStar Georgetown University Hospital. He also serves as Clinical Lead for Ambulatory Services at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

Dr. Haider specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of recurrent and refractory pericarditis, pericardial effusion, cardiac tamponade, constrictive and effusive-constrictive pericarditis, myopericarditis, and pericardial disease associated with autoimmune or systemic inflammatory conditions. He frequently provides second opinions for patients with persistent symptoms, recurrent inflammation, corticosteroid dependence, uncertain diagnoses, or disease that has not responded adequately to standard treatment.

His clinical approach combines detailed evaluation with advanced echocardiography and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging to identify active inflammation, characterize pericardial effusions, assess constrictive physiology, and guide individualized treatment. He works closely with rheumatologists, cardiothoracic surgeons, infectious disease specialists, cardiac imaging specialists, and other experts to provide coordinated care for complex pericardial disease. Treatment may include conventional anti-inflammatory therapy, advanced targeted therapies, clinical trial participation, genetic testing when clinically appropriate, or procedural and surgical evaluation.

Dr. Haider’s academic work focuses on inflammatory pericardial disease, advanced cardiac imaging, and the development and evaluation of new treatments for recurrent pericarditis. He is a MedStar Research Scholar and an investigator in clinical trials and registries studying emerging therapies and long-term outcomes in pericardial disease. His scholarly work has appeared in the Journal of the American Heart Association, Journal of the American Society of Echocardiography, JACC Advances, JACC: Case Reports, and Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology.

Dr. Haider served as a content expert reviewer for the American College of Cardiology’s expert consensus guidance on the diagnosis and management of pericarditis. He was also selected as an invited faculty moderator for the 2026 American Heart Association Scientific Sessions. He is a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and has provided expert commentary on cardiovascular health and pericardial disease for television and news media.

Dr. Haider is deeply committed to medical education and mentorship. He received the 2026 James A. Curtin Award for Excellence in Teaching and was named Educator of the Year by the MedStar Georgetown University Hospital and MedStar Washington Hospital Center Cardiovascular Fellowship Program in 2023.

Philosophy of Care
Many of my patients call me an “old-school doctor,” a term I wear with pride. I believe in personalized, attentive care and take the time to listen beyond a patient’s cardiac symptoms. By understanding the whole person, I often uncover important clinical details that lead to a more accurate diagnosis and a more effective treatment plan.

Cardiovascular disease remains one of the leading causes of death, yet much of it can be prevented, treated, or controlled. My goal is to translate complex medical information, guidelines, and treatment options into clear, practical steps tailored to each patient. I want every patient to understand their condition, participate meaningfully in decisions, and feel confident in the plan we develop together.