Ilan S. Wittstein, MD

5.067 ratings, 24 reviews

Cardiology

Accepting New Patients

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Highlights

Age Groups Seen

Young Adult 18-25
Adult 26-64
Older Adult 65+

Languages

Hebrew
English

In-Network Plans

View All Accepted Plans (12)

Gender

Male

Johns Hopkins Affiliations:

Johns Hopkins School of Medicine Faculty

About Ilan S. Wittstein

Professional Titles

Director, Advanced Heart Failure Fellowship

Primary Academic Title

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Johns Hopkins Physician

Background

Dr. Ilan Wittstein is a cardiologist and the foremost expert in “broken heart syndrome,” also known as stress cardiomyopathy or takotsubo cardiomyopathy. His 2005 article in the New England Journal of Medicine explaining the mechanisms of short-term heart failure after extreme stress introduced this syndrome to the global medical community. Dr. Wittstein has lectured extensively on stress cardiomyopathy, both nationally and internationally, and has appeared in scores of major media stories on national TV and radio networks, in international documentaries, newspapers, magazines and websites. Time Magazine called stress cardiomyopathy one of 2005’s most important medical discoveries. As a result of Dr. Wittstein’s work, Johns Hopkins Hospital has become a referral center for patients diagnosed with this condition.

Dr. Wittstein received his undergraduate degree from Wesleyan University in Connecticut, then completed medical school, residency, and two cardiology fellowships at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. He is an assistant professor of medicine and gives regular lectures and seminars on topics of coronary care. Dr. Wittstein also serves as a peer reviewer for over 20 journals including Lancet, Nature Medicine, New England Journal of Medicine, Journal of the American College of Cardiology and European Heart Journal.

Centers and Institutes

Research Interests

Effect of emotional and psychological stress on cardiac function, Stress Cardiomyopathy

Selected Publications

Ilan S. Wittstein; David R. Thiemann; Joao A.C. Lima; Kenneth L. Baughman; Steven P. Schulman; Gary Gerstenblith; Katherine C. Wu; Jeffrey J. Rade; Trinity J. Bivalacqua; Hunter C. Champion. Neurohumoral features of myocardial stunning due to sudden emotional stress. New England Journal of Medicine. 2005;352(6):539-548.
Daniel J Brotman; Sherita H Golden; Ilan S Wittstein. The cardiovascular toll of stress. Lancet. 2007;370(9592):1089-1100.
Jacob Abraham; James O. Mudd; Navin Kapur; Kelly Klein; Hunter C. Champion; Ilan S. Wittstein. Stress Cardiomyopathy After Intravenous Administration of Catecholamines and Beta-Receptor Agonists. Journal of the American College of Cardiology. 2009;53(15):1320-1325.
David B. Bekelman; Edward P. Havranek; Diane M. Becker; Jean S. Kutner; Pamela N. Peterson; Ilan S. Wittstein; Sheldon H. Gottlieb; Traci E. Yamashita; Diane L. Fairclough; Sydney M. Dy. Symptoms, Depression, and Quality of Life in Patients With Heart Failure. Journal of Cardiac Failure. 2007;13(8):643-648.
S. Laowattana; S.L. Zeger; J.A.C. Lima; S.N. Goodman; I.S. Wittstein; S.M. Oppenheimer. Left insular stroke is associated with adverse cardiac outcome. Neurology. 2006;66(4):477-483.
David B. Bekelman; Sydney M. Dy; Diane M. Becker; Ilan S. Wittstein; Danetta E. Hendricks; Traci E. Yamashita; Sheldon H. Gottlieb. Spiritual well-being and depression in patients with heart failure. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 2007;22(4):470-477.
Ryan J Tedford; Anna R Hemnes; Stuart D Russell; Ilan S Wittstein; Mobusher Mahmud; Ari L Zaiman; Stephen C Mathai; David R Thiemann; Paul M Hassoun; Reda E Girgis; et al. PDE5A inhibitor treatment of persistent pulmonary hypertension after mechanical circulatory support. Circulation. Heart failure. 2008;1(4):213-219.
Bettina Heidecker; Edward K. Kasper; Ilan S. Wittstein; Hunter C. Champion; Elayne Breton; Stuart D. Russell; Michelle M. Kittleson; Kenneth L. Baughman; Joshua M. Hare. Transcriptomic biomarkers for individual risk assessment in new-onset heart failure. Circulation. 2008;118(3):238-246.
Xinqi Peng; Fabio A. Recchia; Barry J. Byrne; Ilan S. Wittstein; Roy C. Ziegelstein; David A. Kass. In vitro system to study realistic pulsatile flow and stretch signaling in cultured vascular cells. American Journal of Physiology - Cell Physiology. 2000;279(3 48-3):C797-C805.
Ilan S. Wittstein. Stress cardiomyopathy: A syndrome of catecholamine-mediated myocardial stunning? Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology. 2012;32(5):847-857.

Honors

Best Doctors in America, 2007 - 2014
Baltimore's top cardiologists, Baltimore Magazine, 1/1/14
Cardiology Fellowship Faculty Teaching Award, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1/1/10
Baltimore's top cardiologists, Baltimore Magazine, 1/1/07
Department of Medicine Housestaff Teaching Award, Johns Hopkins Hospital, 1/1/04
Phi Beta Kappa, Wesleyan University, 5/15/99
Henry Strong Denison Award for outstanding basic research, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, 5/15/90
Hawk Prize for innovative research in molecular biology and biochemistry, Wesleyan University, 5/15/85

Lectures & Presentations

Broken Heart Syndrome, Presentation, Mace Braxton 2011 Cardiovascular Symposium, Salina Regional Health Center, Salina, KS, 11/18/11
Hemodynamic Conundrums, Moderator, Scientific Sessions, American Heart Association, Los Angeles, CA, 11/4/12
New Mechanisms from Experimental Models, Poster moderator, 61st Annual Scientific Session, American College of Cardiology, Chicago, IL, 3/25/12
Stress and cardiovascular disease: Evidence for disease pathways, Presentation, Harvard Catalyst Symposium on Stress and Health Disparities, Mongan Institute for Health Policy, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 10/17/13
Stress Cardiomyopathy in 2012: An Evolving Paradigm, Keynote Speaker, 3rd International Conference on Psychoneurocardiology, Heart & Mind: Psychogenic Cardiovascular Disease, Prato, Italy, 9/5/12
Stress Cardiomyopathy: A Syndrome of Catecholamine Mediated Myocardial Stunning, Presentation, 10th Symposium on Catecholamines and other Neurotransmitters in Stress, Smolenice, Slovakia, 6/26/11
Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy: What have we learned?, Chair, Plenary Session, World Congress of Cardiology, Melbourne, Australia, 5/7/14

Locations

Levi Watkins, Jr., M.D., Outpatient Center
- 601 North Caroline Street, Suite 7200, Baltimore, MD 21287
- Get Directions
- phone: 443-997-0270
- fax: 410-614-1168

Expertise

Education

Fellowship: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Cardiology, 1998
Fellowship: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Cardiology, 1995
Residency: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Internal Medicine, 1993
Medical Education: Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, MD, 1990

Board Certifications

Advanced Heart Failure and Transplant Cardiology: American Board of Internal Medicine, 2012
Cardiovascular Disease: American Board of Internal Medicine, 2012

Insurance

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Pennsylvania's Preferred Health Networks (PPHN)
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Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS)
Veteran Affairs Community Care Network (Optum-VACCN)

Ratings & Reviews

5 out of 5

67 ratings, 24 reviews

The Patient Rating score is an average of all responses to physician related questions on the national CG-CAHPS Medical Practice patient experience survey through Press Ganey. Responses are measured on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best score. Comments are also gathered from our CG-CAHPS Medical Practice Survey through Press Ganey and displayed in their entirety. Patients are de-identified for confidentiality and patient privacy.

Overall Rating by Patient

Provider Listened Carefully

Provider Explained Things Clearly

Provider Knew Medical History

Provider Showed Respect

Provider Spent Enough Time

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Search Reviews

5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 3/18/2026
Dr. Wittstein takes time to listen and ensure your understand your medical condition and questions.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 2/25/2026
Dr Wittstein explains everything in a way that is easily understood. He is always positive and makes you feel at ease
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 2/25/2026
Dr. Wittstein has always been a good listener to any of our questions we ask.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 2/11/2026
I understandable and detailed
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 2/11/2026
Very personable and helpful; informative
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 1/27/2026
Dr. Wittstein lIstened to my thoughts regarding my treatment and was very encouraging.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 1/21/2026
Dr. Wittstein is a great Doctor. I'm very grateful to have him as my provider.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 1/7/2026
Dr. Wittstein was caring, kind, explained everything and didn't feel rushed by him. He helped make my decision for a heart transplant a positive decision!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 1/7/2026
Outstanding
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 1/6/2026
Dr. Wittstein and associate were willing to research my questions and did so with encouragement.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 12/16/2025
Dr. Wittstein is a tremendous asset for the JHH and is a fantastic doctor to work with as a patient.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 12/10/2025
Has been my Case mgr. Since 01/2002 as I am one of your Heart transplant recipients (10/04)
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 11/25/2025
Wittstein is a marvelous dr
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 11/19/2025
Dr. Wittstein is one of the most knowledgeable, kind, thoughtful, compassionate doctors I have ever seen. He took a considerable amount of time with me to explain the condition, the misconceptions, the research, outcomes, challenges, opportunities, lifestyle. I came in with so many questions - and even more concerns and the depth of his expertise and experience is extraordinary and grounded me in knowledge. I am so grateful to him.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 10/29/2025
Dr. Wittstein is a fantastic doctor. He is very knowledgeable about everything, he makes me feel very comfortable and will spend as much time with me as I need.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 10/1/2025
Very professional and thorough in understanding my medical condition.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 9/16/2025
Ilan Wittstein is excellent and explained everything very well!
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 9/2/2025
Excellentv
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 8/27/2025
Dr. Wittstein has always listened to our complaints if we had any. He's always been very helpful with our problems.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 7/30/2025
Very professional
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 7/30/2025
This was the best takotsubo cardiomyopathy specialist and best cardiologist I've ever experienced. Dr Wittstein knowledge, care, professionalism and genuine sincerity speak volumes about the level of care and quality of providers at Johns Hopkins. I am so happy that I decided to travel from Dallas to find the best specialist in the United States. When I left I felt like a weight was off my back because I finally felt informed about what I went through and how to be proactive with Takotsubo syndrome.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 6/4/2025
Excellent
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 6/4/2025
Good listener. Takes time to answer all questions. Great bedside manner.
5 out of 5 stars
Reviewed on 5/6/2025
Dr. Wittstein the BEST. Always takes time to explain everything and ask questions.