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Coronary Artery Spasm

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Painful sudden tightening in the chest, often while at rest or sleeping

Expert Heart & Vascular Care

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Coronary artery spasm occurs when the muscles within an artery that supplies blood to the heart suddenly tighten. This restricts blood flow to your heart muscles and cause severe chest pain. These spasms typically occur while you are at rest or sleeping, but also can happen while you are active. Many people experience fainting with angina.

A spasm episode typically lasts less than 15 minutes and may be accompanied by an irregular heartbeat known as an arrhythmia. A prolonged spasm can trigger a heart attack.

What are the risk factors for coronary artery spasm?

Coronary artery spasms can occur even if you do not have any additional heart conditions. However, most people who experience coronary artery spasms also have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or coronary artery disease.

Coronary artery spasms also may be triggered by:

  • Alcohol consumption
  • Chemotherapy drugs
  • Chronic allergic conditions
  • Low magnesium
  • Menstrual cycles
  • Smoking
  • Spasms in other arteries
  • Thyrotoxicosis, an excessive amount of circulating thyroid hormone

Tests

To diagnose coronary artery spasm, your doctor may use an electrocardiogram (ECG) or other diagnostic tests to monitor your heart’s electrical impulses.

Stress Tests

Stress tests are used to assess how your heart works during physical activity. There are several types of stress tests, including treadmill or bike stress tests, nuclear stress tests, stress echocardiograms and chemically induced stress tests.

Treatments

Treatments for coronary artery spasms focus on controlling chest pain, preventing heart attack and decreasing future episodes. Your doctor will determine an individualized treatment plan that may include lifestyle modifications, medication or more advanced treatments.

Physicians

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82 Doctors & Specialists
Dr. Harjit K. Chahal, MD
Dr. Harjit K. Chahal, MD
Cardiology
(240)
1133 21st Street Northwest Suite 7000 Washington, DC 20036
(202) 416-2000
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Dr. Stuart D. Gould, MD
Dr. Stuart D. Gould, MD
Cardiology
(474)
18101 Prince Philip Drive Suite 4100 Olney, MD 20832
301-570-7404
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Dr. Nicholas Paivanas, MD
Dr. Nicholas Paivanas, MD
Cardiology
(296)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 500 Annapolis, MD 21401
410-573-6480
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Dr. Meena V. Shah, MD
Dr. Meena V. Shah, MD
Cardiology
(453)
130 Hospital Road Suite 300 Prince Frederick, MD 20678
(410) 535-4333
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Dr. Stephanie Schwalm Jacobs, MD
Dr. Stephanie Schwalm Jacobs, MD
Cardiology
(403)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 500 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 573-6480
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Dr. Rahul Malik, MD
Dr. Rahul Malik, MD
Cardiology
(231)
13950 Brandywine Road Brandywine, MD 20613
(301) 782-2220
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Dr. Rodney Arthur Johnson, MD
Dr. Rodney Arthur Johnson, MD
Cardiology
(437)
9105 Franklin Square Drive WHITE SQUARE PROF BLDG Rosedale, MD 21237
(410) 574-1330
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Dr. Louis K. Essandoh, MD
Dr. Louis K. Essandoh, MD
Cardiology
(481)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 500 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 573-6480
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Dr. Terrance Andrew Collins, MD
Dr. Terrance Andrew Collins, MD
Cardiology
(474)
13950 Brandywine Road Suite 100 Brandywine, MD 20613
(301) 782-2220
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Dr. David A. Goldscher, MD
Dr. David A. Goldscher, MD
Cardiology
(399)
3333 North Calvert Street Johnston Professional Building Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 366-5600
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Dr. Estelle Darlyse Jean, MD
Dr. Estelle Darlyse Jean, MD
Cardiology
(448)
18101 Prince Philip Drive Suite 4100 Olney, MD 20832
(301) 570-7404
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Dr. Jonathan E. Patrick, MD
Dr. Jonathan E. Patrick, MD
Cardiology
(153)
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite NW Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-4698
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Dr. Kelley W. Sullivan, MD
Dr. Kelley W. Sullivan, MD
Cardiology
(478)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 500 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 573-6480
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Dr. Rahul Anand, MD
Dr. Rahul Anand, MD
Cardiology
9105 Franklin Square Drive WHITE SQUARE PROF BLDG Rosedale, MD 21237
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Dr. Micheas Zemedkun, MD
Dr. Micheas Zemedkun, MD
Cardiology
(180)
1133 21st Street Northwest Building 2 – 7th Floor Washington, DC 20036
202-877-5800
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Dr. Anil K. Shah, MD
Dr. Anil K. Shah, MD
Cardiology
(341)
24035 Three Notch Road Hollywood, MD 20636
(301) 373-7900
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Dr. Ebony Rebecca Alston, MD
Dr. Ebony Rebecca Alston, MD
Cardiology
9105 Franklin Square Drive WHITE SQUARE PROF BLDG Rosedale, MD 21237
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Dr. William Guy Weigold, III, MD
Dr. William Guy Weigold, III, MD
Cardiology
(74)
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite NW Washington, DC 20010
202-877-7777
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Dr. Valeriani R. Bead, MD
Dr. Valeriani R. Bead, MD
Cardiology
(605)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 500 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 573-6480
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Dr. Kenneth M. Lee, MD
Dr. Kenneth M. Lee, MD
Cardiology
(488)
1133 21st Street Northwest 700 Washington, DC 20036
(202) 416-2000
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Dr. Allen J. Taylor, MD
Dr. Allen J. Taylor, MD
Cardiology
(135)
3800 Reservoir Road Northwest Building 5 Washington, DC 20007
(202) 444-5111
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Dr. Dawn Warner Kershner, DO
Dr. Dawn Warner Kershner, DO
Cardiology
(476)
3333 North Calvert Street Johnston Prof Bldg Ste 500 Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 366-5600
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Dr. John J. Kennedy, MD
Dr. John J. Kennedy, MD
Cardiology
(577)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 500 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 573-6480
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Dr. Sriram Padmanabhan, MD
Dr. Sriram Padmanabhan, MD
Cardiology
(435)
9105 Franklin Square Drive WHITE SQUARE PROF BLDG Rosedale, MD 21237
(410) 574-1330
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Dr. Christy Leigh Kaiser, MD
Dr. Christy Leigh Kaiser, MD
Cardiology
(195)
3800 Reservoir Road Northwest Washington, DC 20007
(202) 444-5111
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Dr. Conor Francis Lundergan, MD
Dr. Conor Francis Lundergan, MD
Cardiology
(550)
13950 Brandywine Road Suite 100 Brandywine, MD 20613
(301) 782-2220
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Dr. Andrew Weidner Ertel, MD
Dr. Andrew Weidner Ertel, MD
Valvular Disease Cardiology | Cardiology | Structural Heart Disease Cardiology | Cardiac Imaging
(131)
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite NW Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-7777
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Dr. Roquell E. Wyche, MD
Dr. Roquell E. Wyche, MD
Cardiology
110 Irving Street Northwest Room BB43 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 499-6999
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Dr. Adinath A. Patil, MD
Dr. Adinath A. Patil, MD
Cardiology
(251)
24035 Three Notch Road Hollywood, MD 20636
(301) 373-7900
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Dr. Bryan LeBude, MD
Dr. Bryan LeBude, MD
Cardiology
(207)
10403 Hospital Drive Suite 102 Clinton, MD 20735
301-292-7270
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Dr. Jennifer Rebecca Brown, MD
Dr. Jennifer Rebecca Brown, MD
Heart Failure and Transplantation Cardiology | Cardiology
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 500 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 573-6480
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Dr. George Dewey Bittar, MD
Dr. George Dewey Bittar, MD
Cardiology
(283)
3333 North Calvert Street Johnston Professional Building Baltimore, MD 21218
410-366-5600
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Dr. Marc A. Mugmon, MD
Dr. Marc A. Mugmon, MD
Cardiology
(439)
3333 North Calvert Street Johnston Professional Building Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 366-5600
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Dr. Mansoor Mozayan, MD
Dr. Mansoor Mozayan, MD
Cardiology
(293)
9105 Franklin Square Drive WHITE SQUARE PROF BLDG Rosedale, MD 21237
(410) 574-1330
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Dr. Stuart Floyd Seides, MD
Dr. Stuart Floyd Seides, MD
Cardiology
106 Irving Street Northwest Suite 4800N Washington, DC 20010
202-416-2000
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Dr. Sumbal Ashraf Janjua, MD
Dr. Sumbal Ashraf Janjua, MD
Cardiology
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite NW Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-7777
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Dr. Abdelrahman Abdallah A Aly, MD
Dr. Abdelrahman Abdallah A Aly, MD
Cardiology
13950 Brandywine Road Brandywine, MD 20613
(301) 782-2220
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Dr. Jared Michael Widell, MD
Dr. Jared Michael Widell, MD
Cardiology | Cardiac Imaging
5601 Loch Raven Boulevard Building 2 Baltimore, MD 21239
(202) 877-6264 or (202) 444-8833
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Dr. Carolina Isabel Valdiviezo Schlomp, MD
Dr. Carolina Isabel Valdiviezo Schlomp, MD
Cardiology
(200)
3800 Reservoir Road Northwest Washington, DC 20007
(202) 444-5111
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Dr. Bhavin Mahesh Patel, DO
Dr. Bhavin Mahesh Patel, DO
Cardiology
9105 Franklin Square Drive WHITE SQUARE PROF BLDG Rosedale, MD 21237
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Dr. John Frank Marra, MD
Dr. John Frank Marra, MD
Cardiology
(341)
5601 Loch Raven Boulevard Russell Morgan Bldg Baltimore, MD 21239
(443) 444-4700
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Dr. Kabir Yousuf, MD
Dr. Kabir Yousuf, MD
Cardiology
24035 Three Notch Road Hollywood, MD 20636
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Dr. Raktim Kumar Ghosh, MD
Dr. Raktim Kumar Ghosh, MD
Cardiology
3333 North Calvert Street Johnston Professional Building Baltimore, MD 21218
410-574-1330
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Dr. Deidra L. Varner, MD
Dr. Deidra L. Varner, MD
Cardiology
11701 Livingston Road Suite 203 Fort Washington, MD 20744
(301) 292-7270
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Dr. Jose D. Vargas, MD
Dr. Jose D. Vargas, MD
Cardiology
(231)
3800 Reservoir Road Northwest Building 5 Washington, DC 20007
(202) 444-5111
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Dr. Orest B. Bartoszyk, MD
Dr. Orest B. Bartoszyk, MD
Cardiology
(448)
13950 Brandywine Road Suite 100 Brandywine, MD 20613
(301) 782-2220
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Dr. Ronak K. Patel, MD
Dr. Ronak K. Patel, MD
Cardiology
5601 Loch Raven Boulevard Russell Morgan Bldg Baltimore, MD 21239
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Dr. Patrick T. Bering, MD
Dr. Patrick T. Bering, MD
Cardiology | Cardiac Imaging
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite NW Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-7777
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Dr. Miriam L. Cohen, MD
Dr. Miriam L. Cohen, MD
Cardiology
(365)
3333 North Calvert Street Johnston Professional Building Baltimore, MD 21218
410-366-5600
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Dr. Reed M. Shnider, MD
Dr. Reed M. Shnider, MD
Cardiology
(548)
18101 Prince Philip Drive Suite 4100 Olney, MD 20832
(301) 570-7404
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Dr. Raymond K. Young, II, MD
Dr. Raymond K. Young, II, MD
Cardiology
(156)
5601 Loch Raven Boulevard Russell Morgan Bldg Baltimore, MD 21239
443-444-4700
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Dr. Amish V. Shah, MD
Dr. Amish V. Shah, MD
Cardiology
(362)
24035 Three Notch Road Hollywood, MD 20636
(301) 373-7900
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Dr. Basirmohmad F. Kolia, MD
Dr. Basirmohmad F. Kolia, MD
Cardiology
(322)
12070 Old Line Center Suite 202 Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 856-2620
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Dr. Allison Christine Warren, MD
Dr. Allison Christine Warren, MD
Cardiology
(343)
106 Irving Street Northwest Suite 4800 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 416-2000
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Dr. Jeffrey Bruce Trabb, MD
Dr. Jeffrey Bruce Trabb, MD
Cardiology
(511)
23507 Hollywood Road Suite 2 Leonardtown, MD 20650
(301) 782-2220
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Dr. Nanette H. Bishopric, MD
Dr. Nanette H. Bishopric, MD
Cardiology
3800 Reservoir Road Northwest Washington, DC 20007
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Dr. Michael Benjamin Lee, MD
Dr. Michael Benjamin Lee, MD
Cardiology
(416)
18101 Prince Philip Drive Floor 4 Olney, MD 20832
(202) 416-2000
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Dr. Etonde Mafany Musonge-Tarkang, MD
Dr. Etonde Mafany Musonge-Tarkang, MD
Cardiology
110 Irving Street Northwest Room 4B-1 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-2181
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Dr. Edward Ian Morris, MD
Dr. Edward Ian Morris, MD
Cardiology
(471)
106 Irving Street Northwest North Tower, Suite 4800 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-5800
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Dr. Richard Ira Weinstein, MD
Dr. Richard Ira Weinstein, MD
Cardiology
18101 Prince Philip Drive Suite 4100 Olney, MD 20832
301-570-7404
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Dr. Oluseyi Omole Princewill, MD, MPH
Dr. Oluseyi Omole Princewill, MD, MPH
Cardiology
(316)
18101 Prince Philip Drive Suite 4100 Olney, MD 20832
(301) 570-7404
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Dr. Kerunne S. Ketlogetswe, MD
Dr. Kerunne S. Ketlogetswe, MD
Cardiology
(209)
3001 South Hanover Street Outpatient Center Floor 2 Baltimore, MD 21225
(410) 350-2106
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Dr. Alexander Ryzhikov, MD
Dr. Alexander Ryzhikov, MD
Cardiology
(397)
12070 Old Line Center Suite 202 Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 705-7870
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Dr. Lawrence D. Jacobs, MD
Dr. Lawrence D. Jacobs, MD
Cardiology
(553)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 500 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 573-6480
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Dr. Satish N. Jumani, MD
Dr. Satish N. Jumani, MD
Cardiology
(344)
12070 Old Line Center Suite 202 Waldorf, MD 20602
(301) 705-7870
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Dr. Anil Pandit, MD
Dr. Anil Pandit, MD
Cardiology
12 Medstar Boulevard Bel Air, MD 21015
410-574-1330
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Dr. Reginald LaMar Robinson, MD
Dr. Reginald LaMar Robinson, MD
Cardiology
(421)
106 Irving Street Northwest North Tower Suite 4800 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-5800
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Dr. Jonathan A. Altschuler, MD
Dr. Jonathan A. Altschuler, MD
Cardiology
(438)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 500 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 573-6480
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Dr. Anjili Srivastava, DO
Dr. Anjili Srivastava, DO
Cardiology
3333 North Calvert Street Johnston Professional Building Baltimore, MD 21218
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Dr. Ankit B. Shah, MD, MPH
Dr. Ankit B. Shah, MD, MPH
Cardiology
(128)
3333 North Calvert Street Johnston Professional Building Baltimore, MD 21218
(410) 366-5600
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Dr. Preetham N. Kumar, MD
Dr. Preetham N. Kumar, MD
Cardiology | Cardiac Imaging
(85)
110 Irving Street Northwest Suite NW Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-7777
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Dr. Benjamin Irving Lee, MD
Dr. Benjamin Irving Lee, MD
Cardiology
(394)
1133 21st Street Northwest Suite 700 Washington, DC 20036
(202) 416-2000
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Dr. Hitesh Chawla, MD
Dr. Hitesh Chawla, MD
Cardiology
5601 Loch Raven Boulevard Russell Morgan Bldg Baltimore, MD 21239
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Dr. Barbara Louise Bean, MD
Dr. Barbara Louise Bean, MD
Cardiology
(450)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 500 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 573-6480
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Dr. Monvadi B. Srichai-Parsia, MD
Dr. Monvadi B. Srichai-Parsia, MD
Cardiology
(212)
3800 Reservoir Road Northwest Pasquerilla Healthcare Center, 5th Floor Washington, DC 20007
(202) 444-5111
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Dr. Jeffrey Jay Brown, MD
Dr. Jeffrey Jay Brown, MD
Cardiology
(453)
9105 Franklin Square Drive WHITE SQUARE PROF BLDG Rosedale, MD 21237
(410) 574-1330
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Dr. Richard L. Morrissey, MD
Dr. Richard L. Morrissey, MD
Cardiology
(326)
3800 Reservoir Road Northwest Washington, DC 20007
(202) 444-5111
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Dr. Andrew Y. Chen, MD
Dr. Andrew Y. Chen, MD
Cardiology | Cardiac Imaging
110 Irving Street Northwest Room 1105 Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-7777
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Dr. Leah Tova Bergman, DO
Dr. Leah Tova Bergman, DO
Cardiology
(48)
9105 Franklin Square Drive Suite 209 Baltimore, MD 21237
(410) 574-1330
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Dr. John Clayton Patterson, MD
Dr. John Clayton Patterson, MD
Cardiology
(169)
10403 Hospital Drive Suite 102 Clinton, MD 20735
(301) 292-7270
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Dr. Bernard Wagman, MD
Dr. Bernard Wagman, MD
Cardiology
(393)
106 Irving Street Northwest Suite 4800N Washington, DC 20010
(202) 877-5800
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Dr. William Clarence Maxted, Jr., MD
Dr. William Clarence Maxted, Jr., MD
Cardiology
(427)
2002 Medical Parkway Suite 500 Annapolis, MD 21401
(410) 573-6480
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