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
- POS OA
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- MultiPlan, Inc
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- United Healthcare Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Choice POS
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- Aetna Classic 5000
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Aetna VA Exchange
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Aetna Basic
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- IH-Open POS II
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- Sentara Health
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- UHC Passport
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- IH-EPO Plus
- Network OA
- CareFirst NASCO
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- HealthyBlue PPO
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- IH-Open HMO Option
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- TRICARE East Prime
- Choice Fund PPO
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- United Student Resources
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- 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
- HighMark
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Aetna HMO
- First Health PPO
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- Medicare FFS
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- Tricare Reserve Select
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- IH-HMO
- Employee Health Plan
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- OA Plus
- Police and Fire Clinic
- Aetna Classic 3500
- IH-POS Plus
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Choice POS II
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- CareFirst Administrators
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Medicare Direct
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- United Healthcare Navigate Cardiac Global
- HumanaChoice PPO
- CIGNA EPO
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- TRICARE East Select
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- First Health PPO
- BlueChoice Open Access
- IH-Indemnity
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- CareFirst EPO
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- IH-Open HMO
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- CIGNA Indemnity
- TRICARE for Life East
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- Choice POS II Open Access
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- CIGNA PPO
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- IH-PPO
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- Navigate
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- IH-POS
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- 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
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Blue Choice Advantage
- IH-Open POS Plus
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- Optimum Choice
- Beech Street PPO
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