About me
Robert Lager, MD, is a clinical cardiologist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. He serves as Physician Lead of MedStar Cardiology Associates, a 43-physician cardiology group at MedStar Health. He is Director of MedStar Ambulatory Services for the Southern region of the MedStar Health system, which includes the District of Columbia and Southern Maryland. Dr. Lager worked as an interventional cardiologist for 20 years and has performed over 10,000 cardiac catheterizations. He has served as a national proctor for Abbott and Medtronic, training physicians from around the nation how to perform the transradial wrist approach for catheterization. In addition, he has trained many cardiology fellows in the interventional cardiology fellowship program at MedStar Washington Hospital Center,and contributed as a clinical investigator in multiple interventional cardiology research studies involving new devices and interventional techniques
Dr. Lager specializes in conditions related to coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, and structural heart disease. He also sees patients for hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and cholesterol disorders, with a strong interest in preventive cardiovascular medicine.
Dr. Lager received his medical degree from the University of Pennsylvania before completing his internship training and residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital. He then completed a general cardiology and interventional cardiology fellowship at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center as well as a fellowship in vascular medicine at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital of Boston. Throughout his fellowship training, Dr. Lager served as Clinical Instructor at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Lager appreciates referrals from physicians and hospital centers for patients with all types of cardiac problems, including coronary artery disease, hypertension and cholesterol disorders. When not practicing cardiology, Dr. Lager enjoys regular exercise with his family and pursues his passion for travel.
Philosophy of Care
“I live by the golden rule that I treat patients like I would treat my family members or treat myself. I have found that this simple rule has guided me along my journey to develop an empathetic and patient-centered practice.
“Patients have better outcomes when they are informed and educated. For this reason, I’m very much about communication and transparency. An educated patient is generally a healthy patient. I also ask patients to take ownership of their care and urge them to live a healthy lifestyle.
“Empathy and taking the time to listen are a big part of my practice. The history and the story that one gets by listening to the patient are as valuable as any objective testing that we do. Above all, I want each of my patients to feel that they are my only patient.”
Clinical areas of focus
- Ablation For Atrial Fibrillation
- Angiogram
- Atrial Flutter
- Cardiac Catheterization
- Cardiomyopathy
- Cardiovascular Stress Testing
- Chest Pain
- Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Electrocardiogram
- Heart Disease
- Heart Murmur
- Holter Monitoring
- Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
- Myocardial Infarction
- Stress Test
Conditions and procedures
Conditions I treat
- Abnormal Body Structure Imaging
- Abnormal Breathing
- Abnormal Function Study Results
- 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 (AHF)
- Advanced Heart Failure Care
- Amphetamine Addiction
- Amyloidosis
- Angina
- Angina Pectoris
- Aortic Aneurysm
- Aortic Regurgitation
- Aortic Stenosis
- Aortic Valve Disease
- Aortic Valve Regurgitation
- Arterial Fibrillation
- Artery Disorders
- Atherosclerosis
- Atherosclerosis Of Aorta
- Atrial Fibrillation
- Atrial Flutter
- Atrial Septal Defect
- Atrioventricular Block
- Benign Neoplasm Of Intrathoracic Organs
- Bicuspid Aortic Valve
- Bleeding Disorders
- Bradycardia
- Bundle Branch Block
- Cardiac Arrest
- Cardiac Arrhythmias
- Cardiac Murmurs
- Cardiometabolic Disorders
- Cardiomyopathy
- Carotid Artery Occlusion
- Catecholaminergic Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia
- Chest Pain
- Chronic Kidney Disease
- Chronic Thromboembolic Pulmonary Hypertension
- Circulatory System Complications
- Circulatory System Disorders
- Clotting Disorders
- Complications Of Cardiac And Vascular Prosthetic Devices
- Congenital Heart Disease
- Congenital Heart Valve Defects
- Congenital Malformation Syndromes Affecting Multiple Systems
- Congenital Malformations Of Cardiac Chambers And Connections
- Congenital Malformations Of Great Arteries
- Congenital Malformations Of Great Veins
- Congenital Malformations Of Heart
- Congenital Malformations Of Musculoskeletal 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
- Family History Of Malignant Neoplasm
- Family History Of Specific Disorders
- Fibromuscular Dysplasia
- Heart Attack
- Heart Disease
- Heart Disease In Women
- Heart Murmur
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol Management
- Hypertension
- Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
- Hypotension
- Intracranial Aneurysm
- Irregular Heartbeat
- Ischemic Cardiomyopathy
- Ischemic Heart Disease
- Kawasaki Disease
- Left Ventricular Hypertrophy
- Liver Enzyme Abnormalities
- Long Term Drug Therapy
- Mitral Regurgitation
- Mitral Valve Disease
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Mitral Valve Stenosis
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Myocardial Infarction
- Myopathies
- 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 Vascular Diseases
- Personal History Of Diseases And Conditions
- Personal Risk Factors
- 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 Heart Disease
- Pulmonary Valve Disorders
- Pulmonary Vessel Disease
- Respiratory Disorders
- Restrictive Cardiomyopathy
- Retinal Vein Occlusion
- Rheumatic Heart Disease
- Rheumatic Heart Diseases
- Rheumatic Tricuspid Valve Disease
- Sarcoidosis
- Secondary Hypertension
- Shock
- Sick Sinus Syndrome
- Sleep Disorders
- Subcortical Infarction
- Supraventricular Tachycardia
- Syncope
- Systemic Connective Tissue Involvement
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- Tachycardia
- Thyrotoxic Crisis
- Transient Cerebral Ischemic Attacks
- Transplanted Organ And Tissue Status
- Tricuspid Stenosis
- Turner Syndrome
- Valve Disease With Congestive Heart Failure
- Venous Embolism
- Ventricular Aneurysm
- Ventricular Fibrillation
- Ventricular Tachycardia
- Vision Disturbances
Procedures I perform
- Ablation For Atrial Fibrillation
- Absolute Quantitation Of Myocardial Blood Flow
- Angiogram
- Aortic Valve Repair
- Atrial Septal Defect Repair
- Automated External Defibrillator
- Cardiac Catheterization
- Cardiac Catheterization Interpretation
- Cardiac Loop Recorder Placement
- Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy
- Cardiovascular Stress Testing
- Carotid Artery Aneurysm Repair
- Computerized Tomography (CT) Scan
- Coronary Artery Stenting
- Echocardiography
- Electrocardiogram
- Electrophysiologic Study
- Electrophysiology Study
- Event Monitoring
- Extended Ecg Analysis
- External Electrocardiographic Recording
- Heart Biopsy
- Heart Pacemaker Implantation
- Heart Transplant
- Holter Monitoring
- Invasive Hemodynamic Monitoring
- Kinesiology Analysis
- Mesenteric Angiography
- MRA With Contrast
- Myocardial Perfusion Imaging
- Pacemaker Insertion
- Pacemaker Pulse Generator Insertion
- Permanent Pacemaker Insertion
- Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome Treatment
- Pulmonary Artery Stenosis Repair
- Stress Echocardiography
- Stress Test
- Subcutaneous Cardiac Rhythm Monitor System Evaluation
- Transesophageal Echocardiography
- Transthoracic Echocardiography
- Unlisted Gastroenterology Procedure
- 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
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Plus
- Medicare FFS
- United Healthcare Choice
- Kaiser Permanente Signature - Added Choice
- Aetna Better Health of VA
- Choice POS
- Kaiser Permanente Select
- Aetna Better Health of MD
- United HealthCare Community Plan - Maryland Health Choice Program
- TRICARE East Select
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthcare Alliance
- Aetna Managed Choice Open Access (POS)
- Optimum Choice & Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) Cardiac Global
- Network OA
- OCI Direct (HMO)
- CareFirst MedStar PPO
- Navigate
- IH-POS Plus
- UHC Group Medicare Advantage Plans (HMO, POS, PPO)
- Coventry Health Care of Virginia
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice 3-tier POS
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage prescription drug benefit (PPO)
- CareFirst Maryland Indemnity or PPO
- HumanaChoice PPO
- Aetna Medicare Advantage PFFS Plan
- CIGNA POS/Network POS
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (HMO)
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Adv. Special Needs Plans
- TRICARE for Life East
- IH-EPO Plus
- Aetna Signature Administrator PPO/TPA
- CareFirst Blue Preferred PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select Cardiac Global
- IH-Network Only Plus
- Cigna True Choice Medicare (PPO)
- CIGNA PPO Plus
- MD IPA (HMO) & MD IPA Preferred Cardiac Global
- Priority Partners - Maryland Health Choice
- CareFirst Blue Card Program
- Aetna Premier 200PD
- Kaiser Permanente Medicare Advantage Signature and Select
- BlueChoice Open Access
- Medicare Direct
- Humana Medicare Advantage - PPO
- DC/MD SHOP QHP Small Business Plans
- Maryland Physicians Care MCO
- MedStar Family Choice - Maryland Health Choice
- WellPoint Maryland - Maryland Health Choice
- HighMark
- Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
- Select HMO/HealthFund/Health Network
- Lasso Healthcare - Medicare Medical Savings Account
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Basic
- Aetna Open Choice (PPO)
- Amerigroup DC Alliance
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD HMO
- TRICARE East Prime
- Medicare Advantage - Advantra Value (PPO)
- CareFirst FEP Blue Focus
- HUMANA/Choice Care Medicare Plans (Choice, Gold Choice)
- Blue Choice Advantage
- Police and Fire Clinic
- IH-Open HMO Option
- CareFirst Group Medicare Advantage
- CareFirst (NCA) Indemnity
- Cigna Preferred Medicare (HMO)
- CIGNA SureFit (HMO)
- IH-Open HMO
- Erickson Advantage Plans
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthy Families
- Aetna Elect Choice/ Open Access (POS)
- Aetna Student Health Insurance
- IH-PPO
- Kaiser Permanente Select - Added Choice
- First Health PPO
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PPO
- Veterans Affairs Community Care Network
- Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
- United Healthcare Select HMO - EPO/NPP
- CareFirst EPO
- Aetna Managed Choice (POS)
- CareFirst Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
- Health Services for Children with Special Needs
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO) Cardiac Global
- Choice POS II
- Private Fee-for-Service Plans (PFFS)
- UnitedHealthcare and AARP Medicare Complete Plans
- Tricare Reserve Select
- Aetna Basic
- IH-Open POS II
- CIGNA Connect EPO
- CareFirst NASCO
- Optimum Choice
- Kaiser Maryland Medicaid MCO
- Humana Gold Plus HMO
- Aetna Classic 5000PD
- IH-Indemnity
- United Healthcare Choice Plus Cardiac Global
- Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Plus
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Open Access
- Kaiser Permanente Signature
- M.D. IPA (HMO)
- Aetna VA Exchange
- BCBS Out-of-State Medicare Plans (Blue Advantage)
- MedStar Family Choice DC Healthy Families
- Aetna Advantage 6350
- Choice Fund PPO
- CIGNA Indemnity
- CIGNA PPO
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers Plus
- Cigna Achieve Medicare (HMO C-SNP)
- Sentara Health
- Uniformed Services Family Health Plan
- First Health PPO
- United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
- Kaiser Permaenete Signature - Added Choice Cardiac Global
- BCBS of Michigan (BCN Advantage,Security Blue, Freedom, Medicare PLUS Blue Group PPO)
- AMERIVANTAGE/Amerigroup Community Care
- CareFirst MedStar Select PPO
- Cigna TotalCare (HMO D-SNP)
- Kaiser Permanente HMO Plus and DHMO Plus Member
- United Healthcare Choice Plus
- Cigna Alliance Medicare (HMO)
- Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
- Geisinger Medicare Advantage
- Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
- Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
- Choice POS II Open Access
- UnitedHealthcare Individual Exchange Plans
- Core Essential (HMO)
- Options PPO Cardiac Global
- Jai Medical Systems - Maryland Health Choice
- Optimum Choice Preferred (POS)
- Choice Care Network/HUMANA (PPO)
- Johns Hopkins Advantage MD PLUS PPO
- Aetna Classic 3500
- Beech Street PPO
- CareFirst Community Health Plan of MD
- Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
- CareFirst Administrators
- United Healthcare Select HMO-EPO/NPP Cardiac Global
- CareFirst BlueChoice HMO
- United Healthcare Choice Cardiac Global
- IH-Open Network Only Plus
- CIGNA EPO
- CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
- Anthem BCBS of VA HealthKeepers (POS & POS OA)
- CareFirst Dual Prime HMO-SNP
- Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
- CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Advantage Core/Enhanced
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue Dual Adv
- United Healthcare Community Plan - VA Medicaid MCO
- United Medicare Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS) plans
- IH-HMO
- UHC Passport
- IH-POS
- OA Plus
- Aetna Traditional Choice (PPO)
- Fee-for-Service (FFS) District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia Medicaid
- HumanaChoice Honor's plan PPO
- AmeriHealth Caritas DC Healthcare Alliance
- IH-Open EPO Plus
- Amerigroup DC Healthy Families
- Alterwood Advanatge HMO & DSNP Plans
- Employee Health Plan
- MultiPlan, Inc
- Aetna Classic 5000
- Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund)
- Kaiser Permanente Flexible Choice POS Cardiac Global
- POS OA
- M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
- NYC Medicare Advantage Plus
- Cigna True Choice Plus Medicare (PPO)
- Private Health Care Systems (PPO)
- TriWest Healthcare Alliance
- Advantra Platinum (PPO)
- United Healthcare Options (PPO)
- CareFirst Maryland Point of Service Plan
- Humana Medicare Advantage - HMO Open Access
- Anthem Federal Employee Program Standard
- IH-Open POS Plus
- CareFirst Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
- Optima Family Care MCO - VA Medicaid MCO
- Aetna Advantage 5750
- CIGNA HMO Open Access
- Aetna Advantage 6350PD
- HealthyBlue PPO
- UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage DSNP District of Columbia
- Aetna HMO
- Magellan Complete Care of VA - VA Medicaid MCO
- Anthem BCBS of VA Key Care POS/PPO/Indemnity
- Aetna HMO-Open Access/Select OA/HealthFund/Health Network Option OA
- United Student Resources
- Anthem BCBS Medi Blue SNP
Videos
Education
Board Certification: ,
Fellowship: St. Elizabeth's Medical Center (2002)
Fellowship: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (2002)
Fellowship: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (2001)
Residency: Massachusetts General Hospital (1998)
Medical School: University of Pennsylvania (1995)
Hospital affiliations
News and publications
- Heart Healthy Month: Living with heart disease
- 8 Warning Signs of a 'Silent' Heart Attack That Are Easy to Overlook
- Heart Disease in COVID-19 Survivors - MedStar Health Blog
- Dr. Lager is one of seven physicians that helped save the life of Steven Jones, the husband of Dr. Sandra Swain.
- Risk factors for heart attacks can begin accumulating during teenage years- WTOP Radio
- Heart risks begin in teenage years - FOX News
- Cardiovascular Physician Fall 2015: MedStar Heart & Vascular Institute First in Area to Offer the WATCHMAN Device
- Cardiovascular Physician Spring 2016:Transradial Caths Gain Traction With Interventional Cardiologists