About me
Vaani Panse Garg, MD, is a cardiologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. She is board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, nuclear cardiology, and adult comprehensive echocardiography.
Dr. Garg diagnoses and treats the full spectrum of cardiovascular diseases, from hypertension to heart failure. She is passionate about prevention and works with patients for the entire duration of their disease process.
She is particularly interested in structural echocardiography, which enhances her diagnosis of, and treatment decisions for, a variety of pathology. She is highly skilled at interpreting–and teaching other providers how to read–transesophageal echocardiograms (TEE), transthoracic echocardiograms (TTE), and 3-D echocardiography.
Her current research interests involve novel techniques and teaching approaches in echocardiography, as well as new initiatives to enhance provider wellness and medical education.
Dr. Garg earned her medical degree from Tufts University School of Medicine. She then completed an internal medicine residency at Mount Sinai Hospital. Following her residency, she remained at Mount Sinai Hospital for a clinical cardiovascular disease fellowship, during which she served as chief cardiology fellow for two years.
Participating in several international projects throughout her training years introduced Dr. Garg to a global health perspective. This interest brought her to Soweto, South Africa, where she was a volunteer at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital Cardiology Department, as well as Pune, India, where she was a public health service corps fellow with the William J. Clinton Fellowship for Service Program. She brings this broad, global health awareness to her practice today.
Prior to joining MedStar Health, Dr. Garg practiced at Mount Sinai Morningside Hospital, where she also served as site director for the cardiology fellowship program (Veterans Affairs track) and the associate program director of the cardiology fellowship program. She was also a clinical assistant professor of medicine (cardiology) at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
Philosophy of Care
I always aim to understand each patient’s life and daily practices. This gives me a deep understanding of how to coach them on medications, exercise, and healthy lifestyle changes. I also emphasize hands-on health education. I draw diagrams, share images, and ensure all questions are answered. I fully explain the “why” of decision making, and in doing so, empower them to better manage their health.
In my partnerships with referring providers, I emphasize open communication and make myself readily available to discuss patient cases.
Clinical areas of focus
- Cardiac Ultrasound
- Cholesterol Screening
- Electrocardiogram
- Heart Ultrasonography
- Holter Monitoring
- MRA With Contrast
- Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
- Stress Echocardiography
- Transesophageal Echocardiography
- Transthoracic Echocardiogram With Strain Imaging
- Transthoracic Echocardiography
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abnormal Breathing
- Abnormal Heart Rhythm
- Acute Bacterial Endocarditis
- Acute Endocarditis
- Acute Ischemic Heart Diseases
- Acute Myocardial Infarction
- Advanced Heart Failure
- Advanced Heart Failure (ADHF)
- Advanced Heart Failure Care
- Amyloidosis
- Angina
- Angina Pectoris
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Aortic Regurgitation
- Aortic Stenosis
- Aortic Valve Regurgitation
- Artery Disorders
- Atherosclerosis
- Atherosclerosis Of Aorta
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Atrial Flutter
- Atrioventricular Block
- Bicuspid Aortic Valve
- Bradycardia
- Bundle Branch Block
- Cardiac Arrest
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
- Cardiac Chamber Disorders
- Cardiac Murmurs
- Cardiometabolic Disorders
- Cardiomyopathy
- Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia
- Cerebrovascular Diseases
- Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension
- Cocaine Related Disorders
- Complications Of Cardiac And Vascular Prosthetic Devices
- Congenital Malformations Of Cardiac Chambers And Connections
- Congenital Malformations Of Great Arteries
- Congenital Malformations Of Great Veins
- Congenital Malformations Of Heart
- Congenital Malformations Of Peripheral Vascular System
- Congenital Malformations Of Pulmonary And Tricuspid Valves
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Disorders Of Autonomic Nervous System
- Disorders Of Lipoprotein Metabolism And Lipidemias
- Eisenmenger Syndrome
- Electrical Conduction Disorders
- Fibromuscular Dysplasia
- Heart Block
- Heart Disease
- Heart Murmur
- High Cholesterol
- Hypertension
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Hypotension
- Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
- Ischemic Heart Disease
- Kawasaki Disease
- Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
- Long Term Drug Therapy
- Mitral Regurgitation
- Mitral Valve Disease
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Mitral Valve Stenosis
- Myocardial Infarction
- Myocarditis
- Nonrheumatic Mitral Valve Disease
- Palpitations
- Paroxysmal Ventricular Tachycardia
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus
- Patent Foramen Ovale
- Pericardium Diseases
- Peripheral Artery Disease
- Peripheral Vascular Diseases
- Premature Atrial Contractions
- Premature Atrial Contractions (PACS)
- Premature Ventricular Contractions
- Presence Of Cardiac And Vascular Implants
- Pulmonary Edema
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Pulmonary Heart Disease
- Pulmonary Valve Disorders
- Pulmonary Vessel Disease
- Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
- Retinal Vein Occlusion
- Rheumatic Heart Disease
- Rheumatic Heart Diseases
- Rheumatic Tricuspid Valve Disease
- Sarcoidosis
- Sick Sinus Syndrome
- Single Ventricle Heart Defects
- Supraventricular Tachycardia
- Swelling In Legs
- Syncope
- Tachycardia
- Transient Cerebral Ischemic Attacks
- Tricuspid Stenosis
- Venous Embolism
- Ventricular Aneurysm
- Ventricular Arrhythmia
- Ventricular Fibrillation
- Ventricular Tachycardia
Procedures I perform
- Cardiac Catheterization Interpretation
- Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Cardiac Pacemaker Measurement
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy With Pacemaker
- Cardiac Sampling And Pressure Measurement
- Cardiac Ultrasound
- Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation
- Cardiovascular Stress Testing
- Cardioversion
- Cholesterol Screening
- Electrocardiogram
- Heart Ultrasonography
- Holter Monitoring
- MRA With Contrast
- Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
- Stress Echocardiography
- Transesophageal Echocardiography
- Transthoracic Echocardiogram With Strain Imaging
- Transthoracic Echocardiography
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
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- POS OA
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- United Healthcare Choice
- Choice POS
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Aetna VA Exchange
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Aetna Basic
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- IH-Open POS II
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Sentara Health
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- UHC Passport
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- IH-EPO Plus
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- CareFirst NASCO
- Network OA
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- IH-Open HMO Option
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- TRICARE East Prime
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Choice Fund PPO
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- United Student Resources
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- HighMark
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Aetna HMO
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- First Health PPO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Medicare FFS
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Tricare Reserve Select
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- IH-HMO
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Employee Health Plan
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- OA Plus
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Police and Fire Clinic
- IH-POS Plus
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Choice POS II
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- CareFirst Administrators
- Medicare Direct
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- CIGNA EPO
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- TRICARE East Select
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- IH-Indemnity
- BlueChoice Open Access
- First Health PPO
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- CareFirst EPO
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- IH-Open HMO
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- CIGNA Indemnity
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- TRICARE for Life East
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- CIGNA PPO
- IH-PPO
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Navigate
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- IH-POS
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- IH-Open POS Plus
- Blue Choice Advantage
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Beech Street PPO
- Optimum Choice
Education
Fellowship: Mount Sinai Hospital (2016)
Residency: Mount Sinai Hospital (2012)
Medical School: Tufts University School of Medicine (2009)
Hospital affiliations
News and publications
- American College of Cardiology Program Directors and Graduate Medical Educations Section and Leadership Council, Virtual Education Webinar panelist
Online recording: Sept. 19, 2020
- American College of Cardiology Cardiovascular Management Section Podcast Practice Made Perfect Storytellers, Guest Speaker
Airdate: Aug. 14, 2020
- American College of Cardiology Academic Leadership Council Academic Profiles, Interviewee Feature date: July 17, 2020
- Tufts Medicine “The Long Goodbye”
Article featured from personal work and travel blog: July 2008