Marius Chukwurah, MD

Marius Chukwurah, MD, FACC, is a sports cardiologist. He specializes in preventive cardiology, clinical lipidology, and cardiovascular imaging. He is board-certified in internal medicine, cardiovascular disease, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, and clinical lipidology.

Dr. Chukwurah has clinical expertise in caring for athletes and highly active individuals who have, or are at risk for, various forms of heart conditions but want to continue exercising safely and optimize their performance. Passionate about helping his patients stay active, he offers comprehensive evaluations, including advanced cardiopulmonary exercise testing (maximal effort VO2 studies), to prevent, diagnose, and manage cardiovascular issues such as coronary artery disease, arrhythmias, dyslipidemia, complex lipid disorders, valvular and vascular heart disease, and cardiomyopathy. He is engaged in preparticipation screening, return-to-play evaluations, and overall cardiovascular care of professional/elite, …masters, collegiate, high school, tactical (military, police, firefighter, etc) personnel, and recreational athletes.

His approach to patient care is rooted in evidence-based medicine. He begins with lifestyle changes and risk-factor management and, when necessary, prescribes the latest guideline-directed medical therapies. Dr. Chukwurah firmly believes in shared decision-making, partnering closely with patients to develop tailored care plans that align with their health goals and fit their lifestyles.

Dr. Chukwurah's research centers on disparities in health outcomes of cardiovascular disease, sudden cardiac death in athletes, and advancing the understanding of the athlete's heart, particularly how exercise affects cardiac structure and function over time. In his clinic, he utilizes echocardiography and stress testing to differentiate between benign physiological adaptations in athletes and malignant cardiac pathology.

Throughout his career, Dr. Chukwurah has been recognized for his dedication to mentoring future physicians, expanding opportunities in medicine to promote a more diverse and inclusive workforce, and advancing research that reduces health disparities. The National Medical Association awarded him the Early Career Investigator Award and Emerging Scholars Award. During his fellowship at Duke University, he earned the Excellence in Graduate Medical Education Award and the Dr. Brenda Armstrong Award. He also received the Black Health Connect 40 under 40 Award.

Dr. Chukwurah was born in the DMV, specifically Laurel, MD, and raised in Baltimore, MD. Outside of work, he is passionate about community service and enjoys spending time with family. He also enjoys attending sporting events, traveling both domestically and internationally, listening to music, attending art and comedy shows, cooking, and trying new food scenes.

Philosophy of Care

"My approach to care centers on treating each patient as I would my own family members, doing everything I can to protect their heart health while encouraging and supporting their desire to stay active and engaged in life. I believe the best care happens when we work together. I take the time to listen, understand patients' goals, and build a plan that feels right for them; one that empowers them to live life fully and confidently.

"Heart health can feel overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. I strive to make cardiovascular care clear and accessible by explaining things in simple and plain language, and ensuring my patients understand the why' behind every decision. Prevention is always better than intervention, and I am committed to offering the latest advances in medicine to help preserve the heart health of my patients while helping them feel their best every day."