About me
Christopher W. Puleo, MD is a noninvasive cardiologist at MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute. He is board certified in internal medicine and board certified in cardiovascular disease, adult echocardiography, and nuclear cardiology.
As a noninvasive cardiologist, Dr. Puleo diagnoses and treats a broad spectrum of cardiovascular health conditions, including coronary artery disease, cardiac arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, and valvular disease. He predominantly sees patients in the outpatient setting in addition to performing routine inpatient cardiovascular consultations for patients admitted to MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He incorporates his experience with a variety of cardiac imaging modalities, including echocardiography and nuclear stress testing, to further risk stratify patients for a wide range of cardiac conditions.
Dr. Puleo’s main clinical interest is in preventive care – he emphasizes the importance of preventing disease, not just treating it. He has a strong interest in working with patients to identify and incorporate healthy lifestyle choices that they enjoy to both treat and prevent cardiac disease before it reaches advanced stages. Dr. Puleo’s research interests are also focused on preventive cardiology and include cardiac biomarkers and cardiac risk stratification. He is very excited by the continuous development of new medicines and interventions in the field of cardiology.
Dr. Puleo earned his medical degree from Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons. He then completed an internal medicine internship and residency at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, before joining Ochsner Clinic Foundation for a three-year cardiovascular disease fellowship program.
Dr. Puleo is excited to be living in the DC area, the closest he has been in recent years to his family in the Northeast. It is also very special for him to have the opportunity to practice medicine in the region where his grandfather was a physician many years ago.
Philosophy of Care
“Medicine is both an art and a science. Physicians go through training for years and years to master that science, but it’s all for nothing unless you're able to build a relationship with your patient.
“As cardiologists, we’re not here to tell people, ‘you need to do this’ or ‘you need to stop eating that.’ We’re here to make recommendations and to work with patients to help them meet their health goals and live the lives they want.
“My goal is to help all of my patients feel better, live longer, manage their conditions, and prevent future disease. I believe the best way to do all of the above is by building a strong patient-physician partnership and working together to achieve the health goals of the individual patient, whether that’s playing with grandkids or running marathons.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Atrial Flutter
- Blood Pressure Monitoring
- Cardiac Echo
- Cardiomyopathy
- Chest Pain
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Heart Disease
- Heart Murmur
- High Cholesterol Management
- Holter Monitoring
- Hypertension
- Hypertension Treatment
- Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
- Lymphedema
- Myocardial Infarction
- Nuclear Stress Test
- Stress Echocardiography
- Transthoracic Echocardiography
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abnormal Body Structure Imaging
- Abnormal Breathing
- Abnormal Function Study Results
- Abnormal Heart Rhythm
- Acute Bacterial Endocarditis
- Acute Myocardial Infarction
- Advanced Heart Failure
- Advanced Heart Failure (ADHF)
- Advanced Heart Failure (AHF)
- Advanced Heart Failure Care
- Amphetamine Addiction
- Amyloidosis
- Angina
- Angina Pectoris
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Aortic Regurgitation
- Aortic Stenosis
- Aortic Valve Disease
- Aortic Valve Disorders
- Aortic Valve Regurgitation
- Artery Disorders
- Atherosclerosis
- Atherosclerosis Of Aorta
- Atherosclerotic Disease
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Atrial Flutter
- Atrioventricular Block
- Bicuspid Aortic Valve
- Bleeding Disorders
- Bradycardia
- Bundle Branch Block
- Cardiac Arrest
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
- Cardiac Murmurs
- Cardiomyopathy
- Cardiovascular Disorders Of Newborn
- Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia
- Cellulitis
- Cerebrovascular Diseases
- Chest Pain
- Chronic Eosinophilic Leukemia
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension
- Circulatory System Disorders
- Clotting Disorders
- Complications Of Cardiac And Vascular Prosthetic Devices
- Congenital Heart Valve Defects
- Congenital Malformations Of Great Arteries
- Congenital Malformations Of Heart
- Congenital Malformations Of Musculoskeletal System
- Congenital Malformations Of Peripheral Vascular System
- Congenital Malformations Of Pulmonary And Tricuspid Valves
- Congenital Malformations Of Trachea And Bronchus
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Cough
- Deep Vein Thrombosis
- Disorders Of Lipoprotein Metabolism And Lipidemias
- Dyspnea On Exertion
- Eisenmenger Syndrome
- Electrical Conduction Disorders
- Fibromuscular Dysplasia
- Heart Attack
- Heart Block
- Heart Disease
- Heart Disease In Women
- Heart Murmur
- Heart Palpitations
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Hypertension
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Hypotension
- Iliac Artery Blockage
- Interstitial Lung Disease
- Intracranial Aneurysm
- Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
- Ischemic Heart Disease
- Kawasaki Disease
- Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
- Liver Enzyme Abnormalities
- Long Term Drug Therapy
- Lymphangitis
- Lymphedema
- Mitral Regurgitation
- Mitral Valve Disease
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Mitral Valve Stenosis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Myocardial Infarction
- Nervous And Musculoskeletal Symptoms
- Nonrheumatic Mitral Valve Disease
- Obesity
- Pain In Throat And Chest
- Palpitations
- Paroxysmal Ventricular Tachycardia
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus
- Patent Foramen Ovale
- Pericardium Diseases
- Peripheral Artery Disease
- Peripheral Vascular Diseases
- Poisoning
- Polyarteritis Nodosa
- Postprocedural States
- Precerebral Artery Occlusion
- Premature Atrial Contraction
- Premature Atrial Contractions
- Premature Atrial Contractions (PACS)
- Premature Ventricular Contractions
- Presence Of Cardiac And Vascular Implants
- Primary Sclerosing Cholangitis
- Problems Related To Lifestyle
- Pulmonary Edema
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Pulmonary Heart Disease
- Pulmonary Valve Disorders
- Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
- Retinal Vein Occlusion
- Rheumatic Heart Disease
- Rheumatic Tricuspid Valve Disease
- Sarcoidosis
- Secondary Hypertension
- Shock
- Sick Sinus Syndrome
- Single Ventricle Heart Defects
- Sleep Disorders
- Subcortical Infarction
- Supraventricular Tachycardia
- Swelling In Legs
- Syncope
- Systemic Connective Tissue Involvement
- Tachycardia
- Thyrotoxic Crisis
- Transient Cerebral Ischemic Attacks
- Tricuspid Stenosis
- Turner Syndrome
- Valve Disease With Congestive Heart Failure
- Varicose Veins Of Lower Extremities
- Venous Embolism
- Venous Thromboembolism
- Ventricular Aneurysm
- Ventricular Fibrillation
- Ventricular Tachycardia
- Vision Disturbances
Procedures I perform
- Ablation For Atrial Fibrillation
- Angioplasty
- Aortic Dissection Repair
- Aortic Stenosis Treatment
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Atrial Fibrillation Ablation
- Atrial Septal Defect Repair
- Automated External Defibrillator
- Blood Pressure Monitoring
- Cardiac Arrhythmia Monitoring
- Cardiac Catheterization
- Cardiac Device Implantation
- Cardiac Echo
- Cardiac Electrophysiology Study
- Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy With Pacemaker
- Cardiac Rhythm Monitoring
- Cardiovascular Stress Testing
- Cardioversion
- Carotid Artery Aneurysm Repair
- Carotid Artery Stenting
- Carotid Endarterectomy
- Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
- Coronary Angioplasty
- Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting
- Coronary Artery Disease Treatment
- Coronary Stenting
- Duplex Scan Of Upper Extremity Arteries
- Echocardiography
- Electrocardiogram
- Electrophysiologic Study
- Electrophysiology Study
- Event Monitoring
- External Electrocardiographic Recording
- Heart Failure Treatment
- Heart Pacemaker Implantation
- Heart Transplant
- High Cholesterol Management
- Holter Monitoring
- Hypertension Treatment
- Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Placement
- Intravascular Ultrasound
- Invasive Cardiac Procedures
- Lymphedema
- Mesenteric Angiography
- MRA With Contrast
- Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
- Nuclear Stress Test
- Pacemaker Optimization
- Pacemaker Pulse Generator Insertion
- Peripheral Angioplasty
- Permanent Pacemaker Insertion
- Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome Treatment
- Pressure Flow Study
- Prostate Injury Treatment
- Pulmonary Artery Stenosis Repair
- Renal Artery Stenting
- Stress Echocardiography
- Syncope Treatment
- Transcranial Doppler
- Transesophageal Echocardiography
- Transthoracic Echocardiography
- Twist Drill Hole With Ventricular Catheter
- Unlisted Gastroenterology Procedure
- Ventricular Fibrillation Treatment
- 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
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Choice POS II
- HighMark
- Medicare FFS
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Sentara Health
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Core Essential (HMO)
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- IH-Open HMO Option
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- TRICARE for Life East
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- POS OA
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Employee Health Plan
- TRICARE East Select
- Aetna HMO
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- CareFirst NASCO
- TRICARE East Prime
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- MultiPlan, Inc
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Beech Street PPO
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- UHC Passport
- Aetna Basic
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- OA Plus
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- CIGNA Indemnity
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- IH-EPO Plus
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- CareFirst EPO
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- IH-POS
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Optimum Choice
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- First Health PPO
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- HealthyBlue PPO
- IH-PPO
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- CIGNA PPO
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Aetna VA Exchange
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- Medicare Direct
- Network OA
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- IH-Open POS II
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Navigate
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice
- Aetna Classic 5000
- IH-Open HMO
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- IH-POS Plus
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- IH-HMO
- Choice POS
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Choice Fund PPO
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- First Health PPO
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- IH-Indemnity
- IH-Open POS Plus
- CareFirst Administrators
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- CIGNA EPO
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- United Student Resources
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
Education
Board Certification: American Board of Internal Medicine, Internal Medicine
Fellowship: Ochsner Foundation Hospital (2022)
Residency: University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center (2019)
Medical School: Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons (2016)