MHVI-Heart-and-Vascular-Women

Heart disease is her disease too

If you thought heart conditions were primarily a men’s health concern, you’re not alone. But the truth is, nearly as many women die each year from heart disease as men. In fact, it’s the leading cause of death for women in the U.S.

Not knowing your risk can lead to dangerous consequences. Research shows about 6 out of 100 women in their 40s will develop coronary heart disease growing to nearly 1 out of 5 women in their 80s. As leaders in cardiovascular care, we can help you understand the signs and symptoms and when you should consult a physician.

Symptoms and risk factors unique to women

Heart disease symptoms can look different for women than men. Often, they are more subtle and harder to identify. Likewise, some risk factors affect women more than men. The good news is eighty percent of all heart disease is preventable. We encourage you to live a healthy lifestyle and listen to your heart.

Angina (chest pain)

Angina may feel like traditional pain, but it may also feel like a tightness or pressure in the chest or throat that radiates down the jaw or left shoulder or arm.
Breathlessness

Having shortness of breath or waking up breathless at night.
Chronic fatigue

Overwhelming or out-of-character fatigue may be a symptom of heart disease. Severe fatigue that lasts several days can also be a heart attack symptom.
Dizziness

Can indicate heart valve disease or arrhythmia (an irregular heart rhythm).
Edema or swelling

Particularly in the lower legs and ankles.
Fluttering or rapid heartbeat

May cause pain or difficulty breathing.
Gastric upset

Nausea or vomiting unrelated to diet.
Heartburn

Some women describe heart-related pain this way.

These symptoms do not necessarily mean that you have heart disease. But you should listen to your heart and your body. Talk with your doctor about these symptoms, what triggers them, and how long they last.

Facebook Live: Women and Heart Disease

Heart disease continues to be the leading cause of death for women in the United States. Surprisingly, women's awareness of heart disease has decreased by approximately 20% over the last decade–primarily among younger women. Learn how to recognize the risks of heart disease in women, the non-traditional risk factors, and the steps to keep your heart healthy. Our panel of experts includes cardiac surgeon Dr. Rachel Harrison and cardiologists Dr. Brian Case, Dr. Estelle Jean, Dr. Kerunne Ketlogetswe, and Dr. Barbara Srichai.

If you do have sudden chest, shoulder, or arm pain, tightness in your chest, or you have difficulty breathing, call 911 immediately. Do not delay. Getting treatment quickly could help limit damage to the heart muscle—and it could save your life.

Get Answers for Unexplained Chest Pain

Celina Gorre is CEO of WomenHeart, a national coalition that promotes women’s heart health. But the irony is that Celina had been dealing with unexplained chest pain, sending her to the ER numerous times over the past two years. No one could pinpoint the exact cause of her chest pain until she met Dr. Hayder Hashim, who clinched the diagnosis: coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD). Thanks to this diagnosis, Celina has been able to manage her symptoms with medication

Risk factors you cannot control

Age

As women age, the risk of heart disease increases due to lower estrogen levels and the chances of developing additional health issues that can affect the heart.
Family history

You are at greater risk if an immediate family member had heart disease at an early age—55 for a male relative or younger than 65 for a female relative.
Race

African-American and Hispanic women have a higher risk of heart disease than Caucasian women.
Gender

Women have a lower risk than men of developing heart disease before menopause, but after menopause, the risk is about equal.

Risk factors you can help manage

Smoking

Smokers are two to four times more likely to have heart disease than non-smokers. When you stop smoking, your body begins to heal, with almost immediate decreases in blood pressure and heart rate.
High blood pressure

Among women of childbearing age, 20 percent have high blood pressure even though many do not realize it. The rate increases to 40 percent between ages 45 and 64, and 60 percent for those age 65 and over. High blood pressure puts added strain on the heart.
High cholesterol

About one-third of American women have cholesterol levels high enough to pose a serious heart disease risk.
Weight

Excess weight can also put added strain on your heart, raising your blood pressure, cholesterol, and glucose (sugar) levels. Another way to assess weight-related risk is to measure your waistline. For women, a waist measurement of 35” or more indicates an increased risk of heart disease.
Inactivity

Inactivity can weaken the heart, and it also makes it easier to gain weight, increasing your chances of developing other risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Other risk factors to consider

Diabetes

Women with diabetes are at greater risk of heart disease than men with diabetes. Over time, high blood sugar (glucose) levels can damage the body’s blood vessels and increase the chances that fatty deposits will build up in the arteries.
Chemotherapy and radiation treatment

Radiation therapy as well as some drugs used to treat cancer, particularly breast cancer, can increase your risk of heart disease. If you have had a cancer diagnosis, talk with your doctor about seeing a cardio-oncologist, a physician who specializes in cancer treatments and its effects on the heart. Learn more
Pregnancy complications

Women who develop high blood pressure or diabetes during pregnancy are at higher risk for developing heart disease later in life. It is particularly important for these women to see their doctor regularly for checkups each year and to pay attention to important lifestyle issues, such as exercise and healthy eating.
Stress and depression

Both chronic and the sudden onset of stress seem to affect women’s hearts more than men’s hearts.
Sleep apnea

A serious condition in which breathing suddenly stops during the night, sleep apnea may be underdiagnosed in women. During an apnea episode, the brain triggers the body to awaken to resume breathing. This frequent, rapid awakening (which you may not even be aware of) can increase blood pressure and put added strain on your heart.
Autoimmune disease

Some of these diseases, such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis—both more common in women than men—tend to have an effect on the heart, possibly due to the inflammation they cause.

Are you at risk for heart disease?

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Diagnosing Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction: Melanie McCauley's story

Sometimes called small artery disease or small vessel disease, coronary microvascular dysfunction is a condition that affects the walls and inner lining of tiny coronary artery blood vessels that branch off from the larger coronary arteries. MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute is one of only a few programs in the nation to offer a new technology that can effectively measure the workings of the heart’s tiniest blood vessels. Physicians now can correctly diagnose and treat coronary microvascular dysfunction. To learn more, please call:

MedStar Washington Hospital Center: 301-892-3302
MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center: 301-683-7004

Additional resources

DocTalk: Young people and heart health featuring Miss D.C.

For decades, heart disease been identified as the leading cause of death in the United States. The statistics are not surprising. They include a wide range of cardiac conditions like coronary artery disease, heart failure, valve disease, and more. What is surprising, is a rise in the number of heart attack deaths among young people. Since 2000, statistics have shown an increase in the number of people under the age of 40 dying from a heart attack, and that is increasing by 2 percent every year. Why? Who might be at risk? And what can be done about it?

On this episode of MedStar Health DocTalk, we are joined by cardiologists Dr. Estelle Jean and Dr. Barbara Srichai to discuss answers to those questions and more. Plus, we’ll hear from our special guest Miss D.C. 2023, Jude Mabone’ about her story of surviving six heart attacks before the age of 18 and how she has used her title and platform to advocate for heart health.

For more information about this podcast, contact Regional Media Relations Director, debra.schindler@medstar.net.

Learn more about Dr. Jean here

Learn more about Dr. Srichai here

Nationally recognized cardiac specialists

Our cardiovascular team includes specialists in women's health. Together, they collaborate to share new information about risk factors unique to women. With offices located throughout central and southern Maryland, the District of Columbia, and northern Virginia, you always have convenient, local access to expert cardiac care. Ask for a location near you when you call for your appointment.

Bolanle Akinyele, MD

Ebony Alston, MD

Jennifer Brown, MD

Vaani Panse Garg, MD

Stephanie Jacobs, MD

Sumbal Janjua, MD

Estelle Jean, MD

Kerunne Ketlogetswe, MD

Bryan LeBude, MD

Amy L. Marino, MD

Tarana Nekzad, DO

Susan O’Donoghue, MD

Oluseyi Princewill, MD

Maria Rodrigo, MD

M. Barbara Srichai-Parsia, MD

Ida Suen, MD

Kelley Sullivan, MD

Carolina Valdiviezo, MD

Cardiac Specialists

Bolanle Akinyele, MD

Bolanle Akinyele, MD

Bolanle Akinyele, MD, MPH, FACC, is a non-invasive cardiologist at MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute. She is board certified in internal medicine, cardiology, and advanced echocardiography.

Dr. Akinyele sees patients with a wide range of cardiovascular diagnoses including coronary heart disease, rhythm disturbances, and also provides preventive cardiovascular care. She has a special interest in advanced echocardiography and structural heart disease.

Dr. Akinyele received her medical degree from Howard University College of Medicine.

During her time there, she served as co-director of The New Freedmen’s Clinic, a free, student-run, attending supervised clinic–the largest student-driven community initiative at Howard College of Medicine. Dr. Akinyele then completed her internal medicine residency at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center, where she also served as chief resident. Following this, Dr. Akinyele pursued advanced training through fellowships in cardiology and advanced echocardiography at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Growing up in Nigeria and during her training, Dr. Akinyele recognized the value of quality healthcare and developed a passion for expanding healthcare access and addressing cardiovascular health disparities. Thus, during her fellowship training, she completed the Master of Public Health program at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, with certificates in global health, healthcare disparities and health equity. She brings that passion to the care of her local patients and to the international cardiovascular health nonprofit with which she remains involved.

Philosophy of Care:
“I am a wife and mother of three and I bring my “mom-self” to work. I take care of each patient as if they were family, and believe in treating the person, not just the disease. I aim to provide each patient with compassionate care, clear and candid information while respecting their decisions for treatment.

I believe in excellence – in being complete and providing thorough care. I am also committed to mutual partnerships with referring physicians, offering transparent, ongoing communication to determine the best plan for their patients.”

Ebony Alston, MD

Ebony Alston, MD

Ebony Alston, MD is a cardiologist with MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center.

Dr. Alston treats patients with coronary artery disease, heart rhythm disorders, high cholesterol, hypertension, and congestive heart failure. She has a particular interest in, and emphasizes much of her practice on, preventive cardiology.

Dr. Alston seeks to understand the whole patient—integrating lifestyle modifications with medical therapies to develop an individualized cardiovascular treatment plan. Trained in naturopathic medicine, Dr. Alston offers a unique background and perspective when treating her patients. She works to optimize each patient’s cardiovascular health by incorporating evidence-based medicines, cardiovascular tests, diet, exercise, and stress reduction regimens.

Dr. Alston views her relationship with patients as a partnership. She places great importance on getting to know each patient and discussing their individual concerns so that she can provide them the most appropriate tools to help them become healthier individuals.

Jennifer Brown, MD

Jennifer Brown, MD

Dr. Jennifer R Brown is board certified in cardiology and advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology. She specializes in congestive heart failure, cardio-oncology, pulmonary arterial hypertension, women’s heart health and preventive cardiology.

Dr. Brown’s main focus is helping patients improve their quality of life. For patients with heart failure, this primarily means improving symptoms and staying out of the hospital. Her office hours allow for frequent office visits as well as urgent visits if needed. She also works closely with local oncology groups to provide the best preventive cardiac care for patients receiving chemotherapy and radiation that can be toxic to the heart. Dr. Brown has a particular interest in pulmonary hypertension and optimizing the care of this very special population. Lastly, she spends time counseling every patient on the importance of a heart-healthy diet and healthy lifestyle, as she truly believes that nutrition is the best medicine. She will help you reduce your cardiac risk factors with dietary changes that will hopefully allow less rather than more medication.

Dr. Brown works intimately with each patient and family to determine the right treatment plan, knowing that every patient has a unique story.

Vaani Panse Garg, MD

Vaani Panse Garg, MD

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.

Stephanie Jacobs, MD

Stephanie Jacobs, MD

Stephanie Jacobs, MD is a board certified cardiologist, who has been named a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology, based on outstanding professional achievement.

She specializes in non-invasive cardiology, which includes consultation, nuclear cardiology and echocardiography. She also has specialty training in pregnancy-related cardiovascular disease. Women are waiting longer to have children, and thus can have a cardiac history at the time of pregnancy, or have new symptoms or conditions for which cardiovascular testing and evaluation can be helpful to both the mother and baby. Dr. Jacobs particularly enjoys seeing patients in this demographic. She also enjoys educating the public about cardiovascular disease via community events and was featured in a 2012 episode of Doc Talks.

Dr. Jacobs has practiced medicine in the Annapolis area since 2005, along with her husband Dr. Lawrence Jacobs, also of MedStar Cardiology Associates. Together they have five children. She’s very active in the Annapolis community and can frequently be spotted at children’s activities, local restaurants or enjoying the Severn River. She enjoys running, biking, swimming, paddle boarding, and kayaking.

Dr. Jacobs is an extremely thorough and passionate care provider. She strongly believes in patient education and encourages her patients to play an integral role in their treatment plans. She promotes healthy living and quality of life as a patient's primary goal, uses evidenced based medicine wherever possible, and brings an undergraduate background of chemical engineering to problem solving, imaging, and treatment.

Sumbal Janjua, MD

Sumbal Janjua, MD

Sumbal A. Janjua, MD, is a non-invasive cardiologist at the Heart and Vascular Institute of MedStar Washington Hospital Center. She specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of all cardiovascular conditions including coronary artery disease, valvular heart disease, preventive cardiology, etc., but her special interests include the use of cardiac CT in the pre-procedural structural assessment and advanced Echocardiography in the intraprocedural guidance of structural heart procedures.

As a multimodality cardiac imager, Dr. Janjua has particular expertise in structural echocardiography and cardiac CT and works with cardiac surgeons and interventional cardiologists in the collaborative diagnosis, assessment and treatment of patients with structural heart disease.

Dr. Janjua spent a couple of years completing the NIH sponsored T-32 advanced imaging research fellowship, with particular focus on coronary and carotid plaque analysis by CT and its association with outcomes. Dr. Janjua was selected as a finalist for the “Young Investigator” award at the Society of Cardiovascular CT meeting for her research involving statin use and plaque on coronary CT angiography from the ROMICAT trial. In addition to this, her work investigating carotid plaque by CT among people with HIV has been published in the American Heart Association’s Circulation: Cardiovascular Imaging. Dr Janjua has several publications in leading peer reviewed journals and has presented her work at various cardiology meetings including ACC, AHA and SCCT. She also served as a reviewer for Circulation: Cardiovasular Imaging.

Philosophy of Care:
“My philosophy of care revolves around providing excellent and compassionate patient care, being a strong advocate for my patients and involving them in shared decision making. I believe in a multidisciplinary approach in patient care and working in a collaborative manner to provide the highest standards of care to all patients.”

Estelle Jean, MD

Estelle Jean, MD

Estelle Darlyse Jean, MD, is a cardiologist at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center. She is also responsible for representing and leading the women’s heart disease initiative at MedStar Montgomery Medical Center’s Women’s Health Program. Dr. Jean treats a full spectrum of cardiac disorders, with a primary focus on preventative interventions, cardiac sarcoid, women’s cardiology, and pregnancy-related cardiovascular conditions. As part of her specialization in cardiology for pregnant female patients, Dr. Jean works closely with obstetricians to manage cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and preeclampsia during pregnancy.

The most common procedures performed by Dr. Jean include transesophageal echocardiograms, direct current cardioversions, electrocardiograms, and echocardiograms. She interprets these tests alongside a full range of exercise treadmill stress tests, stress echocardiograms, nuclear stress tests, event monitors, Holter monitors, and vascular studies (including carotid ultrasounds, abdominal ultrasounds, lower arterial duplex ultrasounds) in order to understand her patient’s current condition and to provide an accurate diagnosis.

Dr. Jean’s clinical and research interests focus on prevention and heart disease in women. She believes strongly in community-based medicine and improving health in the community through education, something she tries to accomplish through her professional Facebook page where she posts articles and updates on cardiovascular health, cardiovascular diseases, and facilitating interaction with her patients. Within the hospital, she also participates in discussions dealing with early screening, prevention, and women’s health.

Dr. Jean received her medical degree from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, followed by a residency program in Internal Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital. She then completed a joint fellowship program in cardiology at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital and MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

Kerunne Ketlogetswe, MD

Kerunne Ketlogetswe, MD

Kerunne Ketlogetswe, MD, a non-invasive cardiologist at MedStar Harbor Hospital, is board certified in internal medicine and cardiology. She diagnoses and treats common heart problems, including heart attacks and other acute heart conditions. She considers herself an active health partner with her patients, helping to support their recovery and guiding them to improved heart health.

In her practice, she provides both preventive care and treatment of heart disease and values the relationships she develops with her patients. An important part of her role is teaching her patients how to live a heart-healthy lifestyle and preventing heart disease from occurring. She believes everyone can make changes to prevent heart disease whether it's making dietary changes, or setting a goal to walk 10,000 steps each day.

Dr. Ketlogetswe received her doctor of medicine from Harvard Medical School and completed her Master's degree in Health Science in Cardiovascular Epidemiology at The Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Brigham and Women's Hospital and completed her fellowship in Cardiovascular Medicine at The Johns Hopkins Hospital.

In addition to seeing patients, Dr. Ketlogetswe is an adjunct faculty member at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She has served as investigator and co-investigator on research studies and has been published in journals including Circulation, Clinical Chemistry and others. She is a member of the American Heart Association, American College of Cardiology and American Society of Preventive Cardiology.

Bryan LeBude, MD

Bryan LeBude, MD

Dr. Bryan LeBude received his medical degree from Sidney Kimmel Medical College (formerly Jefferson Medical College) in Philadelphia, PA. He completed Internal Medicine Residency training at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital where he was named Chief Medical Resident. Dr. LeBude completed Cardiology Fellowship training at MedStar Washington Hospital Center and Georgetown University Hospital where he also served as Chief Cardiology Fellow. During fellowship training, he was elected co-chair of the American College of Cardiology Fellow-in-training Leadership Council. Dr. LeBude practices non-invasive cardiology and is board certified in Cardiovascular Disease, Echocardiography, Nuclear Cardiology, Vascular Ultrasound, and Internal Medicine.

Amy L. Marino, MD

Amy L. Marino, MD

Amy Marino, MD, is a board-certified non-invasive cardiologist at MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute. Dr. Marino treats a wide range of cardiovascular conditions, including coronary artery disease, lipid disorders, atrial fibrillation, heart failure, and valvular heart disease.

While Dr. Marino cares for all patients, her clinical focus is cardiovascular disease in women. She has a particular interest in cardiovascular complications during pregnancy and the management of future cardiovascular risk. Similarly, her research interests include hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, peripartum cardiomyopathy, and other topics related to women’s cardiovascular health. As these subjects have been understudied historically, Dr. Marino emphasizes the importance of emerging data and therapeutics that will hopefully further improve patient management.

Dr. Marino earned her medical degree from the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. She completed an internal medicine residency and cardiology fellowship at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. She subsequently worked for two years as an attending cardiologist and clinical assistant professor at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center. Dr. Marino has published multiple papers that focus on peripartum cardiomyopathy and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.

Philosophy of Care:
“I believe in evidence-based medicine combined with care that is tailored to the individual patient. Listening to patients and understanding their values is so important. I do my best to explain my recommendations, effectively educate patients about their health, and answer questions. Ultimately, I want to provide the type of care that I would hope for myself and the people that I care about.”

Tarana Nekzad, DO

Tarana Nekzad, DO

Tarana Nekzad, DO, is a cardiologist at MedStar Cardiology Associates at Brandywine. She is board certified in internal medicine, adult echocardiography, cardiovascular nuclear medicine, and board eligible in cardiovascular medicine. She also holds a Registered Physician in Vascular Interpretation (RPVI) certification.

As a general cardiologist, Dr. Nekzad focuses on risk stratification, prevention, and management of the full spectrum of cardiovascular conditions, including coronary artery, valvular, peripheral arterial, and aortic diseases.

At her previous practice in Detroit, Michigan, Dr. Nekzad gained experience with a wide scope of patients and pathology, including high-acuity cases, and a broad range of demographics and health literacy. As a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, she is trained to emphasize patient-focused care, and therefore pays close attention to each person’s unique situation and circumstance, while offering guideline-based treatment plans.

Throughout her training at Michigan State University, Dr. Nekzad was consistently recognized for her clinical skills and leadership strengths. She was named chief intern and most outstanding first year resident, hospital chief resident, and cardiology chief fellow.

Dr. Nekzad is a member of the American College of Cardiology, the American Society of Echocardiography, and the American College of Physicians.

Philosophy of Care:
“One of my favorite things about my work is the opportunity for patient advocacy and patient education. It’s an integral part of holistic care that often gets overlooked. I practice empathy and active listening, while learning about each patient’s life. My patients know that my office is a safe space where their concerns will be heard. I help them fully understand their disease, and we talk about their diagnosis and how we can reduce their risk of adverse events. I love to help patients take charge of their health, and feel motivated and empowered.”

Susan O’Donoghue, MD

Susan O’Donoghue, MD

Susan O'Donoghue, MD, is a board-certified cardiac electrophysiologist at MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. She previously served as Associate Director of the Cardiac Arrhythmia Center and Director of the Combined Cardiac Electrophysiology Fellowship Program at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital/MedStar Washington Hospital Center. She is presently Director of Cardiogenetic Services at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, a new program for the diagnosis and treatment of inherited cardiac disorders, which she developed. Dr. O'Donoghue has been providing care for more than 25 years.

Dr. O'Donoghue is a member of the Washington Electrophysiologic Society, the Heart Rhythm Society (HRS), and the American College of Cardiology (ACC). She has authored numerous textbook chapters and journal articles.

Dr. O'Donoghue specializes in treating heart rhythm disorders through the use of electrophysiologic studies, catheter ablation procedures and devices such as pacemakers or implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICD). She is currently conducting research measuring the energy present on the skin surface when an internal defibrillator fires.

Dr. O'Donoghue completed her undergraduate studies in the Honors program at the University of Connecticut, where she graduated summa cum laude and received her medical degree from Georgetown University School of Medicine. She completed her internship and residency training in internal medicine at Emory University, and her Cardiology Fellowship at Emory University and MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Dr. O'Donoghue also completed a fellowship in cardiac electrophysiology and pacing at the MedStar Washington Hospital Center.

Oluseyi Princewill, MD

Maria Rodrigo, MD

Maria Rodrigo, MD

Maria Esperanza Rodrigo, MD, is the Associate Director for the Heart Transplant Program and attending physician in the Advanced Heart Failure Mechanical Circulatory Support & Cardiac Transplantation Program at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. As a heart failure and transplant cardiologist, she primarily sees individuals with advanced heart failure, including patients requiring heart transplants and mechanical circulatory support. She also specializes in managing cardiovascular disease during pregnancy, including peripartum cardiomyopathy.

Dr. Rodrigo’s approach to treating patients with heart failure begins with a thorough evaluation to determine the type of treatment they will require. She initially offers treatment with medication, and often further advanced treatments, such as implantation of a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) or heart transplantation. Dr. Rodrigo specializes in determining the eligibility of patients for these advanced heart failure therapies. When LVAD implantation is necessary, Dr. Rodrigo is part of a multidisciplinary team that offers patients the latest technology available in the field. Dr. Rodrigo follows these patients in the pre-, peri- and post-surgical period.

With a strong interest in advancing the field of heart transplantation, Dr. Rodrigo is the site principal investigator for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) sponsored Genomic Research Alliance for Transplantation (GRAFT) study, a project across five area transplant hospitals that is exploring the use of cell-free DNA in heart transplantation.

After receiving her medical degree from Universidad Favaloro in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in 2003, Dr. Rodrigo completed an NIH research fellowship in cardiovascular disease, during which she focused her work on endothelial progenitor cells. She then joined MedStar Washington Hospital Center/Georgetown University Hospital, where she completed her internal medicine residency in 2009, followed by a year as Chief Resident. Dr. Rodrigo then went on to complete a first fellowship in cardiology in 2013 and a second fellowship in advanced heart failure & transplant cardiology in 2014, both at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital/Washington Hospital Center. She is board certified internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, and advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology.

M. Barbara Srichai-Parsia, MD

M. Barbara Srichai-Parsia, MD

Monvadi Barbara Srichai-Parsia, MD, is the Vice Chief of Cardiology and the Director of the Non-Invasive Cardiology Lab at Medstar Georgetown University Hospital. She treats patients with heart failure, congenital heart disease, aortopathies, syncope, coronary artery disease, and other conditions of the heart. Dr. Srichai-Parsia has a special focus on autonomic dysfunction disease and connective tissue disorders. In addition, she does work in cardio-oncology, treating cancer patients who have developed heart failure or weak hearts.

With specialized training in non-invasive testing, Dr. Srichai-Parsia uses advanced cardiac imaging, including echocardiography, cardiac MRI, and CT, as well as stress testing. In her practice, she emphasizes shared decision making with the patient when selecting tests and treatments.

Dr. Srichai-Parsia’s research interests have focused on the roles of advanced imaging and other new technology in refining treatment and diagnosis. She also participates in research on the patient-centered treatment approach of shared decision making. Dr. Srichai-Parsia is exploring the different testing techniques for patients with chest pain and the factors that go into choosing diagnostic techniques based on symptomology and patient preferences for certain tests.

Dr. Srichai-Parsia received her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and completed her residency in internal medicine at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center. As a fellow in general cardiology, imaging, and radiology at Cleveland Clinic, she has received a Young Investigator Award. Dr. Srichai-Parsia has a Master’s degree from New York University in Comparative Effectiveness, a course of study that focuses on improving the use of health care resources where they are most valued.

Ida Suen, MD

Ida Suen, MD

Ida Hui Suen, MD, is a cardiologist at MedStar Southern Maryland Hospital Center and MedStar Health: at Brandywine. She is board certified in internal medicine and board eligible in general cardiology. Dr. Suen treats patients for a wide variety of heart conditions including heart disease, high blood pressure, heart failure, and arrhythmia.

As a non-invasive cardiologist, Dr. Suen utilizes methods such as transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography, stress testing, nuclear myocardial perfusion interpretation, transvenous pacemaker insertion, and Swan Ganz catheter insertion to treat and improve her patients' conditions.

Dr. Suen’s clinical interests include preventative medicine, general adult cardiology, valvular diseases, arrhythmia, hypertension and heart disease. She is especially passionate about preventative heart care. Her goal is to screen, monitor, and treat her patients' symptoms early, before they develop into a serious condition that is more difficult to manage. Currently, she is building a patient base so that she can monitor and care for the same patients over a long period of time rather than seeing them only once or twice. When creating a treatment plan, she strives to identify and remove any barriers of care such as economic hardships, transportation issues, or insurance complications.

Dr. Suen received her Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry from Barnard College, Columbia University in New York, New York, and a Master of Public Health in Environmental Health Science and Molecular Toxicology from Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health. From there she went on to earn her Doctor of Medicine from St George’s University, School of Medicine in Grenada, West Indies, where she graduated cum laude. Before working at MedStar Health, Dr. Suen was a Chief Fellow in the Department of Cardiology at Coney Island Hospital in Brooklyn, New York.

Dr. Suen is fluent in Spanish and Cantonese and speaks conversational Vietnamese.

Philosophy of Care:
“My philosophy of care is rooted in building a strong relationship with my patients and getting to know their clinical history. Not every chest pain is the same, nor is every individual's circumstances or access to care. I see each of my patients as individuals and take the time to really listen to their symptoms and concerns so that together we can create the best treatment plan possible.

I want my patients to know that my work as a cardiologist extends beyond my professional life and into my personal life. Many years ago, my father told me that he was experiencing chest pain while fishing. I advised him to go to the doctor and have his heart checked. In the end, he ended up having open heart surgery, which prolonged his life. My father has since passed on, but I will always feel his love and support. I know what it is like to be a family member of someone who has a heart issue and realize that every patient I treat is someone’s parent, sibling, child, or friend and I treat them like a member of my own family.”

Kelley Sullivan, MD

Kelley Sullivan, MD

Kelley W. Sullivan, MD is a board-certified cardiologist specializing in consultative and preventative cardiology and cardiac imaging. She currently serves as Medical Director of the echocardiography laboratory at Medstar Cardiology Associates in Annapolis, Bowie and Kent Island. Prior to this position, she served as Chief of Cardiology of Anne Arundel Medical Center for three years, as a member of the credentialing committee of the hospital for 11 years, and as the Physician Manager of the Kent Island office for ten years. Dr. Sullivan is a fellow of the American College of Cardiology for her outstanding professional achievement and a master faculty member of the American Medical Women's Association.

Dr. Sullivan has specialized training and experience in transesophageal ECHOs and the evaluation of valvular heart disease. Her expertise in cardiac imaging assists in identifying potential problems before they become a health crisis.

As a cardiologist whose primary interest is preventative cardiology, Dr. Sullivan enjoys working closely with patients and carefully listening to their concerns, to ensure they are on the path to wellness and health. She strives to make healthcare accessible and understandable, and to minimize the stress that is often associated with cardiac health issues. She closely collaborates with primary care providers and other subspecialists to offer her patients the best care possible.

Carolina Valdiviezo, MD

Carolina Valdiviezo, MD

Carolina Isabel Valdiviezo, MD, is an attending cardiologist at the MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. She’s board certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, and adult echocardiography.

Her clinical interests include atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular disease prevention, cardiac CT, echocardiography, stress testing, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease in pregnancy.

Dr. Valdiviezo-Schlomp completed her medical degree at the Universidad Autonoma De Guadalajara and completed residency training at Mount Sinai Medical Center. Her cardiovascular disease fellowships include Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine and John Hopkins University School of Medicine.