About
Dr. Ankit Shah is a Harvard-trained sports cardiologist and the founder of Sports & Performance Cardiology in Chevy Chase, MD. He completed a dedicated sports cardiology fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University. He holds board certification as a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology and earned his MPH alongside his medical training.
Dr. Shah serves as Chief Medical Officer for USA Swimming and as a cardiology consultant for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee. He sits on the NBA Cardiac Advisory Committee and serves as a preferred provider for US Soccer. His team consultation work spans the Washington Wizards, Baltimore Ravens, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Capitals, Washington Mystics, and DC United. He chairs the Sports and Exercise Cardiology Leadership Council at the American College of Cardiology and holds faculty appointments at both Georgetown University School of Medicine and Johns Hopkins University. Dr. Shah founded the first sports cardiology program in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia region at MedStar Health in 2017. He has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications and delivered over 25 invited national lectures, including at the Annual ACC Scientific Sessions. He served as USA Swimming Team Physician at the 2024 World Championships in Budapest and at the AP Race in London in 2026. Washingtonian and Baltimore magazines have each named him a Top Doctor, and Bethesda Magazine featured him on its cover in July/August 2025. His clinical focus includes endurance sports cardiology, POTS and autonomic dysfunction, athlete heart screening, and cardiovascular performance optimization.
Education & Training
Fellowship
Sports Cardiology, Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard University
Additional Training
Associate Professor of Medicine, Georgetown University School of Medicine; Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University; MPH degree
Certifications
Conditions Treated
Who is Dr. Shah right for?
Dr. Shah is an excellent fit for active adults who experience cardiovascular symptoms during exercise. Recreational athletes, competitive runners, cyclists, and triathletes benefit from his deep expertise in the athletic heart. He works with collegiate, professional, and Olympic-level competitors managing complex cardiac conditions. Patients dealing with POTS, autonomic dysfunction, arrhythmias, or unexplained exercise intolerance also find targeted, thorough care here. Executives and busy professionals seeking proactive cardiovascular monitoring fit naturally into his concierge model.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Dr. Shah specializes in cardiovascular conditions that affect active individuals and athletes. He diagnoses and manages hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, arrhythmias, heart palpitations, POTS, autonomic dysfunction, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and exercise-induced symptoms such as syncope and shortness of breath. He also treats exercise intolerance and cardiovascular disease in athletes across all competitive levels.
Dr. Shah sees athletes across the full spectrum of activity. His patients include gym-goers and weekend warriors, competitive age-group athletes, collegiate and professional competitors, and Olympic-level athletes. He also serves as Chief Medical Officer for USA Swimming and consults for teams in the NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, MLS, and WNBA.
Yes. Dr. Shah holds board certification as a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC). He also earned a Master of Public Health degree and completed a dedicated sports cardiology fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University.
Dr. Shah completed a dedicated sports cardiology fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard University. He also holds faculty appointments as Associate Professor of Medicine at Georgetown University School of Medicine and Adjunct Associate Professor of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University.
Dr. Shah takes all exercise-related symptoms seriously, even when they seem minor. He understands that athletes may only notice symptoms at peak exertion, and those symptoms can be subtle, such as an inability to hold a prior race pace or reflux-like sensations during hard effort. His evaluations account for the unique way cardiovascular conditions present in physically active patients.
Dr. Shah serves as Chief Medical Officer for USA Swimming. He has traveled as team physician to the 2022 Duel in the Pool in Sydney, the 2024 World Championships in Budapest, and the 2026 AP Race in London. He also serves as a cardiology consultant for the United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee.
Yes. Dr. Shah has authored more than 40 peer-reviewed publications. His research covers topics including methods to resume sport at USOPC training facilities during COVID-19, athlete heart screening, and cardiovascular performance. He has also delivered more than 25 invited national lectures, including at the Annual ACC Scientific Sessions.
Yes. Dr. Shah offers VO2 max testing, lactate threshold testing, and resting metabolic rate evaluation as part of his in-house testing menu. These assessments use medical-grade equipment under expert oversight. Results include VO2 max scores, ventilatory thresholds, heart rate zones, and personalized training recommendations.
Doctor profile last updated August 19, 2026