Contact this Provider
202-416-2000
About Me
Robert Lager, MD, is an interventional cardiologist at Medstar Washington Hospital Center and President of MedStar Cardiology Associates, a 38-physician cardiology group at MedStar. He is Director of MedStar Ambulatory Services for the Southern region of the Medstar system, which includes the District and Southern Maryland. Dr. Lager 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 teaches physicians in the interventional cardiology fellowship program at MedStar Washington Hospital Center.
Dr. Lager specializes in conditions related to coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, structural heart disease, and the use of minimally invasive catheter procedures for unstable angina, stable angina, and heart attack. He also sees patients for hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and high cholesterol as well as to discuss preventive medicine. His clinical interests include complex coronary artery disease procedures with a special interest in left atrial appendage closure procedures for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation. His research interests include new catheter devices and innovation of the transradial approach.
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.
MedStar Heart and Vascular Institute is the first facility in the region to offer the WATCHMAN device, an implantable device used to reduce the risk of stroke in patients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. Dr. Lager has partnered with his electrophysiology colleagues to implant the WATCHMAN device at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, the leading center for WATCHMAN device implantation.
Dr. Lager appreciates referrals from physicians and hospital centers for patients who may qualify for the WATCHMAN left atrial appendage occluder device as well as for patients who desire cardiac catheterization procedures performed via the transradial approach. In addition to being an interventional cardiologist, Dr. Lager places a strong emphasis on prevention and trying to avoid initial problems by looking at the latest data in terms of where preventative therapies can be implemented as early as possible. When not advocating the WATCHMAN device or transradial techniques, Dr. Lager practices regular exercise 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.”
Practice Locations
MedStar Washington Hospital Center - Physicians Office Building
106 Irving Street NorthwestWashington, DC 20010
Fax 202-877-0456
Insurances Accepted
MedStar Health Providers participate with a wide range of health insurance products. We accept self-pay patients and the insurances plans listed below. This list is not comprehensive, it is updated periodically and is subject to change. If you do not see your health insurance plan or product listed, or if you have any questions regarding MedStar Health’s participation with your health plan, please contact your health plan to verify participation with our providers.
Since the MedStar Health providers span the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia regions, our participation with DC, Maryland and Virginia Medical Assistance programs varies by provider group. Please contact your MedStar Physician’s Office to assist with verifying Medical Assistance participation. If you are enrolled in a Medicaid Managed Care Organization, please contact your Medicaid health plan to verify participation.
- AETNA
Aetna Elect Choice/ EPO (Aetna Health Fund) Innovation Health: Network Only Plus
Aetna Innovations: HMO & EPO Plus
Aetna Medicare Advantage HMO & PPO Plans
Aetna Quality Point of Service (POS)
Aetna Student Health Insurance
Aetna USAccess (POS)
Aetna Worker's Compensation Network
Innovation Health: Indemnity
Innovation Health: Open Network Only Plus
Innovation Health: POS Plus
Innovation Health: PPO
Open EPO Plus
Open POS II
- CAREFIRST
Blue Choice Advantage & Healthy Blue (HMO, POS)
CFBCBS (NCA) Indemnity
CFBCBS BlueChoice HMO
CFBCBS Blue Choice Opt Out Plus Open Access (POS)
CFBCBS Federal Employee Program (Std. & Basic PPO)
CFBCBS Maryland Indemnity or PPO
CFBCBS Maryland Point of Service Plan (MPOS)
HealthyBlue PPO
- CIGNA HEALTH CARE
Choice Fund PPO
CIGNA HMO & Network (HMO)
CIGNA Indemnity
CIGNA POS/Network POS
Great-West Healthcare POS/CIGNA
POS OA & OA Plus
- COVENTRY HEALTH NETWORK
Coventry Health Care National Network PPO
Coventry Health Care of Virginia
Coventry of Delaware HMO/PPO
First Health PPO
- FIRST HEALTH (NOW COVENTRY)
FIRST HEALTH
- MEDSTAR FAMILY CHOICE
MedStar Family Choice
- MEDSTAR MEDICARE CHOICE
MedStar Medicare Choice
- MEDSTAR SELECT
MedStar Select (MedStar Associates' Plan)
- PRIVATE HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS, INC. (PHCS)
Private Health Care Systems (PHCS) (PPO)
- TRICARE
Tricare Extra (Indemnity)
Tricare for Life (Medicare Supplemental Plan)
Tricare Prime
Tricare Standard
- UNITED HEALTHCARE
M.D. IPA (HMO)
M.D. IPA Preferred (POS)
Mamsi Life & Health (Indem./PPO)
OneNet PPO, Inc.
Optimum Choice Preferred (POS) & OCI Direct (HMO)
United Healthcare Choice Plus
United Healthcare Compass (HMO)
United Healthcare Core Essential (HMO)
United Healthcare Options (PPO) (includes Empire PPO, GEHA, Compass Rose)
United Healthcare Select HMO
United Healthcare Select Plus (POS)
United Student Resources
Conditions Treated
Abnormal ECG
Abnormal Stress Test
Acute Bacterial Endocarditis
Alcoholic Cardiomyopathy
Aortic Diseases
Aortic Valve Disorders
Aortic Valve Sclerosis
Atherosclerosis
Atherosclerosis Of The Aorta
Athletic Heart Syndrome
Atrial Tachycardia
Atrioventricular Block
Autoimmune Pericarditis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
Cardiac Angina
Cardiac Arrhythmias
Cardiac Insufficiency
Cardiac Risk Assessment
Cardiac Tumor
Cardio-Oncology
Cardiomegaly
Cardiorenal Syndrome
Carotid Aneurysm
Carotid Intimal Thickness
Cerebral Venous Thrombosis
Chemodectoma
Chest Pain
Cholesterol Disorders
Congestive Heart Failure
Coronary Artery Anomaly
Coronary Artery Calcification
Coronary Artery Fistula
Cyanotic Heart Disease
Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Double Aortic Arch
Double Outlet Right Ventricle Dorv
Dysautonomia
Dyspnea On Exertion
Edema
Elevated Creatine Kinase
Exercise Intolerance
Familial Arrhythmias
Familial Dilated Cardiomyopathy
Family History Of Heart Disease
Family History Of Sudden Cardiac Death
First Degree Heart Block
Genetic Cardiomyopathy
Giant Cell Myocarditis
Heart Disease In Women
Heart Health
Heart Murmur
Heart Problems
Heart Racing
Hypertension
Idiopathic Hypertrophic Subaortic Stenosis
Infiltrative Disorders Of The Heart
Intestinal Ischemic Syndrome
Left Bundle Branch Block
Left Heart Failure
Mitral Valve Regurgitation
Mitral Valve Stenosis
Mthfr Mutation
Myocardial Infarction
Myxoma
Orthopnea
Orthostatic Hypotension
Palpitations
Papillary Muscle Disease
Papillary Muscle Disorders
Paraganglioma
Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia
Paroxysmal Tachycardia
Paroxysmal Ventricular Tachycardia
Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return Papvr
Peripheral Edema
Pre-Excitation Syndrome
Premature Atrial Contraction
Premature Beats
Preventative Cardiology
Prinzmetals Angina
Pulmonary Capillary Hemangiomatosis
Pulmonary Valve Disorders
Pulmonary Valve Insufficiency
Pulmonary Valve Stenosis
Pulmonary Vein Stenosis
Pulmonary Veno-Occlusive Disease
Refractory Angina
Renal Vein Compression
Rheumatic Aortic Regurgitation
Rheumatic Aortic Stenosis
Rheumatic Diseases Of Pulmonary Valve
Rheumatic Fever
Rheumatic Heart Failure
Rheumatic Mitral Regurgitation
Rheumatic Mitral Stenosis
Right Bundle Branch Block
Right Heart Failure
Right Ventricular Hypertrophy
Secondary Hypertension
Single Ventricle Defect
Single Ventricle Defects
Subaortic Stenosis
Syncope
Tachycardia-Bradycardia Syndrome
Type 1 Second-Degree Heart Block
Type 2 Second-Degree Heart Block
Unstable Angina
Valve Stenosis
Valvular Endocarditis
Valvular Heart Disease
Variant Angina
Vasospastic Angina
Vasovagal Syncope
Ventricular Arrhythmia
Viral Cardiomyopathy
Treatments
Anticoagulation
Cardiovascular Care
Collateral Vessel Closure
Coronary Brachytherapy
Directional Atherectomy
In Office Cardiac Echocardiogram
In Office Cardiac Stress Test
Left Atrial Appendage Closure
Prosthetic Heart Valves
Pulmonary And Cardiac Rehabilitation
Rotational Atherectomy
Sports Related Cardiovascular Assessment
Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair
Tests
Abnormal Coronary Angiography
Adenosine Stress Test
Advanced Lipid Testing
Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing
Dobutamine Stress Test
Implantable Cardiac Monitor Procedure
In-Office Echocardiogram
In-Office Stress Test
Optical Coherence Tomography
Preoperative Evaluation
Sports Cardiovascular Assessment
Thallium Stress Test
Transesophageal Echocardiography
Transthoracic Echocardiogram
Vo2 Measurement
Education
Fellowship Program:St. Elizabeths Hospital of Boston (2002)
Fellowship Program:Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center (2002)
Fellowship Program:Beth Israel Deaconess and Medical Center (2002)
Fellowship Program:St. Elizabeth's Hospital of Boston (2002)
Residency Program:Massachusetts General Hospital (1998)
Internship/Residency:Massachusetts General Hospital (1998)
Internship Program:Massachusetts General Hospital (1996)
Medical School:University of Pennsylvania (1995)
Fellowship Program:Beth Israel Deaconess and Medical Center
Certification
American Board of Internal Medicine, Cardiovascular Disease
American Board of Pathology, Interventional Cardiology
Media
Videos
Robert A Lager, M.D. - Interventional Cardiology
Featured in the News
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