MedStar Health Opens Cardio-Obstetrics Clinic in Montgomery County

Led by Dr. Minhal Makshood, the clinic provides integrated support for women navigating pregnancy with pre-existing heart conditions or those developing new cardiovascular symptoms. Previously, this level of subspecialized care remained largely restricted to major academic medical centers. The program coordinates cardiologists, maternal-fetal medicine specialists, and obstetricians to address high-risk cases including cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, and valvular heart disease.

For patient Jazzmin Plaid, the clinic's intervention proved decisive. Following her fifth child's birth, her symptoms led to a diagnosis of an undiagnosed heart chamber opening. She subsequently underwent a minimally invasive repair at MedStar Washington Hospital Center. Dr. Makshood emphasizes that persistent symptoms like chest pain, fainting, or palpitations during or after pregnancy warrant immediate professional evaluation rather than being ignored as standard recovery.