Cardiovascular Disease Doctors Maryland
At Shakthi Health and Wellness we offer personalized, comprehensive consultations focusing on preventative cardiology care and nutrient deficiencies to develop a plan to correct a body out of balance.
Cardiology Care Specialists
Our practice believes enhancing your vitality is possible through holistic lifestyle changes. Integrative medicine focuses on the relationship between your mind, body, and soul. We are mindful of this significant union when supporting your path to whole body wellness.
Our healing-oriented therapies combine complementary and conventional medicine to promote whole body health and wellness.
If you are experiencing stress, fatigue, weight gain, loss of sleep, and lack of energy and focus, you may be putting unnecessary stress on your heart.
Acute and chronic stress conditions can lead to increased inflammation in the body which can lead to heart disease. Stress is a contributing factor to heart attack and arterial disease. It contributes to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular problems such as heart failure, sudden cardiac death, and enlargement of the heart.
Preventative medicine is key to reducing your risk for cardiac disease of any kind. If you are experiencing symptoms of acute and chronic stress, consider making an appointment to discuss your options.
What does Shakthi Mean?
Shakthi (Shuk-thee) means Strength, Empowerment, and Agent of Change.
Frequently Asked Questions
We value the importance of the relationship between the doctor and the patient. That is why Dr. Jyothi Rao has taken the time to answer some of the most commonly asked questions at Shakthi Health & Wellness. View our FAQ page here.
What To Expect
Cardiovascular Disease Specialists
Meet Our Doctors
Our team is composed of skilled medical professionals who are highly knowledgeable in the practice of cardiovascular disease therapies. We believe patients shouldn’t have to settle for “quick fixes” for their health.
Our Direct Primary Care model provides patients with in depth consults with each appointment without the restrictions of time limits and jumping through insurance hoops. Our Integrative medicine doctors in Maryland, Dr. Jyothi Rao and Dr. Sudhir Rao, have the same medical training, licensing, and certifications any other physician would have working in other healthcare models
Jyothi Rao
MD, ABAAHP, FAARFM
Dr. Jyothi Rao is the founder of Shakthi Health and Wellness Center. She has over 20 years of experience with integrative, holistic, alternative, and complementary approaches to medicine. Dr. Rao believes knowledge is empowerment and focusses her practice on whole body wellness, and disease prevention
Sudhir Rao
MD, ABAAHP
Dr. Sudhir Rao is a board certified doctor over 20 years of experience with traditional medicine and alternative medicines for chronic pain. he developed a strong interest in Functional and Integrative Medicine to treat chronic illness after a personal experience with limitations in traditional medicine.
Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease is one of the biggest health concerns in the United States as well as the world. Cardiovascular disease is the wider nomenclature for a whole group of cardiovascular problems that come with their own unique symptoms, causes, and treatments. Some of the most common types of cardiovascular disease are:
- Arrhythmia - a consistent abnormal heart rhythm
- Atherosclerosis - a hardening of the arteries
- Cardiomyopathy - a hardening/ weakening of the hearts muscles
- Congenital heart defects - regularities in the heart present from birth
- Coronary artery disease - a build-up of plaque in the arteries
- heart infections
All of these cardiovascular diseases come with risk factors. Some of the most common of those are high blood pressure, heart attacks, angina, and even stroke. those are the risk factors that we have control over there are of course extenuating risk factors that are out of our control like family history, sex, age, and ethnicity.
But with the right focus and an integrated treatment plan crafted solely for you by our doctors at Shakthi Health and Wellness you will be able to combat those risk factors.
A stethoscope in the form of a heart
How is Cardiovascular Disease Diagnosed?
In order to diagnose cardiovascular disease there are several tests and evaluations that we may suggest. The panel of tests and evaluations we opt to do will depend on you as an individual, but they can include:
- physical exams/ blood tests
- ECG/ EKG
- stress test
- Holter monitor
- carotid ultrasound
- CT scan
- cardiac catheterization/ coronary angiography
- Electrophysiology
What Causes Cardiovascular Disease?
Just like with the symptoms each of the different types of cardiovascular disease has specific causes behind them. When dealing with arrhythmia you may find that it could be caused by anything including diabetes, heart defects, high blood pressure, stress and anxiety, substance abuse, and existing heart damage/ disease.
Here are some of the causes of other cardiovascular diseases:
- Heart defect - this typically is something that is caused by situations that occur while developing in the womb that cause the heart structure to change.
- Cardiomyopathy - depending on the type of cardiomyopathy causes them can range anywhere from infection and drugs to a thickening of the heart muscle to scar tissue buildup or abnormal protein buildup.
- Heart infection - this type of cardiovascular disease is caused by viruses, bacteria, and parasites that have created infections within the body.
Symptoms of Cardiovascular Disease
Varying symptoms are going to present themselves depending on the type of cardiovascular disease you are experiencing. Though there are often similar symptoms that do appear in each of them it would be better to understand the symptoms if you understood each one individually. So here are some of the symptoms for each of the types of cardiovascular disease we have mentioned above:
- arrhythmia - racing heartbeat, fainting, dizziness, chest pain, slow pulse, Lightheadedness
- atherosclerosis - numbness for such coldness in the limbs, unexplained pain, weakness and legs, and arms
- heart defects – blue-tinted skin, swelling in the extremities, shortness of breath, fatigue, low energy, irregular heartbeat
- coronary artery disease - chest pain/ discomfort, tightness of the chest, shortness of breath, nausea, indigestion/ gas
- cardiomyopathy - bloating, shortness of breath, rapid pulse, fatigue, swollen legs
- heart infections - fever, chills, congestion, skin rash, chest pain
A stethoscope in the form of a heart
How to Treat Cardiovascular Disease
Cardiovascular disease is a major problem throughout the world and because there have been so many studies and research done on this illness there is a multitude of different types of treatments that are possible to be used. This of course depends on the type of heart disease and the severity, but we often utilize the following treatments in our integrative medical practice:
Lifestyle Alterations
Making lifestyle alterations that create a healthier atmosphere can greatly impact cardiovascular disease. The biggest of those lifestyle changes could work. Focusing on a low-fat low sodium diet that is heavy in fruits and vegetables could reduce cardiovascular disease symptoms.
That coupled with an increase in physical activity and quitting any controlled substances like tobacco and drinking could begin helping to lower your risk of any future complications due to your cardiovascular disease.
Medications
If the issue is severe enough medication may be one of the ways that you have to integrate it into your wellness plan. Our doctors will determine whether prescription medication is necessary in order to control or cure the complications that come about because of your cardiovascular disease.
Surgery/Invasive Procedures
The most severe form of treatment is going to be surgery or invasive procedures. There are times when cardiovascular disease has proceeded far enough that the only way to fix the symptoms and the problem is to go into surgery. Things like unblocking your arteries or inserting a stand to help improve the blood flow could potentially be necessary if the cardiovascular disease has progressed enough.
Preventative Treatments for Cardiovascular Disease
On top of the treatments that may come once the disease has progressed far enough, there are preventative treatments that we like to utilize in our integrative treatment plans to help ensure that these issues don't progress further.
Manage Blood Pressure and Cholesterol
In order to keep your heart healthy the very first step that has to be taken is to get your blood pressure and cholesterol in healthy ranges. You want to ensure that your blood pressure is not too high as that indicates that your heart is working too hard and that could increase the damage to your heart due to your cardiovascular disease.
When it comes to cholesterol levels we'll work together with you because the ideal level is really dependent on your medical history and risk factors. For those that for instance have a high risk for personal issues, cardiovascular disease, have already had a heart attack, or have diabetes the cholesterol will need to be lower to ensure everything is working properly.
Stress Management
Stress is one of the main contributors to cardiovascular disease. It exacerbates the situation and finding ways to manage it could potentially help alleviate some of the recurring symptoms that come with the disease.
About Us
We believe in practicing medicine that focuses on whole body health. As integrative medicine doctors we focus our on root cause of your condition with comprehensive treatments that actually heal the body rather than just masking the symptoms of your illness.
Helpful Resources
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Patient Testimonials
Patient Testimonials
I started by seeing Dr. Sudhir Rao for my Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (RSD) Syndrome. I had an accident in July 2010 that caused nerve damage in my ankle. After treatments and surgery, it spread up the entire left side of my body. The only way to describe how you feel is by saying you’re a human pinball machine ? you just never know where the pain is going to be that minute. I had asked about acupuncture because someone had told me that it worked for them. I was at the point of trying anything to lessen the pain because it was getting worse every day.
- Susan Doyle
I am actually a relatively healthy 50-year-old woman. I try to eat well and exercise, but I (like many) felt the creep of age in the form a subtle pounds and decreasing energy. Dr. Rao helped point me in the direction of the correct detox program for me (Core Restore!) as well as the supplements I needed to boost my metabolism and increase my energy! I still need to eat what works for me and avoid the things that don't, and I still have to exercise every day, but my clothes fit better and I have more energy!!
- Shakthi Patients
I came to see Dr. Rao with symptoms of chronic fatigue, abdominal pains, depression, and weight gain. I had seen a couple other doctors and they had found that I had very high inflammation levels and over 15 food allergies/sensitivities. They wanted me to just take prescription drugs, but I wanted more than a quick fix. I wanted my health and my life back! When I scheduled the appointment, I was surprised how by helpful Kelly was on the phone. I didn’t know the details of my insurance coverage and Kelly offered to call my insurance for me. I’ve never had anyone at a doctor’s office do that before.
- Anna Smoot
After visiting the Shakthi website and reading other patient testimonials, I was curious about the wide variety of treatments that were available. I have a very slow metabolism, was fatigued, had insomnia, back pain, and just didn’t feel as well as I wanted to in general. I had more allergic reactions and respiratory issues in the preceding months before coming to see Dr. Jyothi Rao. I had completed three courses of prednisone while under the treatment of my traditional doctor and was fed up with that cycle and was looking for another path.
- Debbie Helman
I was given the gift of Dr. Rao's primary care for Christmas in 2016. I didn?t take advantage of it until March of 2017. My mindset at the time was negative. I had heard about changing eating habits and I felt that I liked the foods I was eating and I was nearly 70, so why change now? After meeting with Dr. Rao and hearing her suggestions, I said I would take it one small step at a time and see what happens.
- Linda J.
I was in the worst shape of my life with depression and anxiety. I had given up. Shakthi provided me with a manageable plan that included supplements, diet, and an exercise program that has transformed my body and given me a new outlook on life. Perhaps the most surprising outcome was learning how to be healthy and have a good relationship with my body. I am now more productive, energetic, and focused. The fog that had been clouding my thoughts has lifted.
- Shakthi Patient
What To Expect
How Treatment Works
Our doctors and staff take time to get invested in your health and well-being. We've taken a step back from mainstream medicine and are challenging the norm. Everyone's healthcare needs are different. You are different. We believe patients shouldn't settle. Our practice is not a revolving door. We listen, and most importantly, we hear you.
Appointments
Appointments are conducted on an as-needed basis. Patients can expect appointments to be more thorough and focused on their needs. As direct primary care doctors, we see a limited number of patients which means each of our patients receives dedicated care without the concern of being “rushed” our of an appointment.
Diagnostic Testing
We offer patients scientifically backed health assessments to better understand the root causes of their health conditions. We evaluate any disruptions to your health and body to develop effective wellness plans to optimize your vitality. To learn more about the specific tests we offer visit this page here.
Costs Involved
Patients receive personalized and tailored care in exchange for a flat fee. Overall cost will be discussed during your initial consultation. Each subsequent appointment will not need to be individually paid for. All patients receive unlimited access to their physicians which leads to better overall health and wellness.
