Gerti Tashko, M.D.

Gerti Tashko, M.D. • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
• Obesity Medicine
• Hypertension
• Lipidology

A calcium score shows only part of the story. Non-calcified plaques often cause sudden heart events, while calcified one...
10/17/2025

A calcium score shows only part of the story. Non-calcified plaques often cause sudden heart events, while calcified ones mark older, stable disease. Modern imaging and lipid testing together improve prevention. For many patients, especially women who develop heart disease later, this combined approach offers earlier detection and better control. Integrating these insights supports smarter and more sustainable strategies for lifelong cardiovascular protection.

↘ What Arterial Plaque Really Is
↘ Why Non-Calcified Plaque Triggers Acute Events
↘ What Coronary Calcium Scoring Measures
↘ The Limitations of Calcium Scoring Alone
↘ Interconnected Factors That Influence Plaque Type
↘ Gender Differences in Plaque and Event Timing
↘ Patient Cases
↘ Summary Table
↘ Integrating the Full Picture

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Dr. Tashko explains how non-calcified and calcified plaques differ, why calcium score alone misses risk, and how gender affects heart disease.

Modern data confirm GLP-1 agonists are not linked to pancreatitis. Studies from 2025 show no increase in risk and, in so...
10/14/2025

Modern data confirm GLP-1 agonists are not linked to pancreatitis. Studies from 2025 show no increase in risk and, in some cases, lower recurrence rates and mortality. These findings overturn old concerns and highlight how improved metabolic control may protect the pancreas. Clinicians can now use GLP-1s more confidently as part of holistic, individualized care for diabetes and obesity.

↘ A Renewed Look at an Old Controversy
↘ The 2025 J Clin Med: The Cleanest Lens Yet
↘ The 2025 Am J Gastroenterology: Better Outcomes, Not Worse
↘ The 2025 Diabetes Metabolism: Even Safe After Prior Pancreatitis
↘ Historical Context: The Arc of Evidence
↘ Why the Myth Persisted
↘ Clinical Implications: How to Translate This in Practice
↘ Illustrative Cases
↘ Summary Table
↘ A Balanced Perspective

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Dr. Tashko reviews 2025 data showing GLP-1 agonists do not raise pancreatitis risk and may lower recurrence and complications.

Creatine is a natural energy booster found in muscle and brain tissue. It helps with ATP regeneration, which supports st...
10/10/2025

Creatine is a natural energy booster found in muscle and brain tissue. It helps with ATP regeneration, which supports strength, memory, and resilience. Beyond athletics, creatine offers benefits for aging, cognition, and metabolism. At our practice, we use it thoughtfully as part of comprehensive care. Patients in Maryland and through virtual care receive guidance tailored to their unique health needs.

↘ Understanding Creatine Physiology
↘ Health Benefits of Creatine
↘ Types of Creatine
↘ Side Effects and Safety
↘ Patient Cases
↘ Summary Table
↘ Balanced Viewpoint

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Dr. Tashko explains creatine’s role in brain, muscle, and metabolic health, highlighting benefits, types, safety, and smart use.

A normal LDL cholesterol does not guarantee protection from heart disease. Heart attacks often involve hidden risks like...
10/07/2025

A normal LDL cholesterol does not guarantee protection from heart disease. Heart attacks often involve hidden risks like insulin resistance, smoking, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and stress. Advanced lipid testing and calcium scoring reveal dangers that standard cholesterol checks miss. Comprehensive, holistic prevention means addressing each factor with a smart, personalized strategy. For lingering concerns, cardiovascular stress testing ensures no hidden risks remain undetected.

↘ Beyond LDL Cholesterol: The Bigger Picture
↘ The Role of Advanced Lipid Testing
↘ Imaging Tools: Heart Calcium Score
↘ Lifestyle and Medical Risk Factors
↘ Patient Scenarios
↘ When to Consider Heart Stress Testing
↘ A Balanced View on Prevention
↘ Summary Table

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Dr. Tashko explains why many heart attacks happen with normal LDL and how advanced testing and holistic care improve prevention.

Frequent NSAID use can harm both heart and kidney health by increasing blood pressure, clotting risks, and reducing kidn...
10/04/2025

Frequent NSAID use can harm both heart and kidney health by increasing blood pressure, clotting risks, and reducing kidney function. Patients with diabetes, hypertension, or older age face the highest risks. Safer strategies include occasional use, topical therapies, or natural options like turmeric and curcumin. A balanced, personalized approach often offers meaningful pain relief without worsening cardio-renal conditions.

↘ How NSAIDs Work in the Body
↘ Cardiovascular Risks of NSAIDs
↘ Renal Risks of NSAIDs
↘ Who Faces Higher Risks?
↘ Safer Alternatives and Smart Strategies
↘ Summary Table
↘ Broader Context

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Dr. Tashko explains how NSAIDs increase heart and kidney risks, and how safer options like turmeric, curcumin, and acetaminophen may help.

Recent NEJM studies reveal how oral semaglutide 25 mg and orforglipron are reshaping obesity and diabetes treatment. The...
10/02/2025

Recent NEJM studies reveal how oral semaglutide 25 mg and orforglipron are reshaping obesity and diabetes treatment. These medications produced meaningful weight loss and metabolic improvements, outperforming Rybelsus 14 mg. Findings from the OASIS-4, ATTAIN-1, and ACHIEVE-1 trials show that oral therapies may soon offer results similar to injectables, expanding choices for individuals seeking safe, effective, and convenient approaches to weight reduction and improved metabolic wellness.

↘ Oral Semaglutide 25 mg: OASIS-4 Trial
↘ Orforglipron in Obesity: ATTAIN-1 Trial
↘ Orforglipron in Type 2 Diabetes: ACHIEVE-1 Trial
↘ Comparison With Rybelsus 14 mg
↘ Patient Case Variations
↘ Summary Table
↘ Key Takeaways

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Dr. Tashko explains new NEJM trials showing semaglutide 25 mg and orforglipron outperform Rybelsus for obesity and diabetes management.

Stress hormones guide the body’s response to challenges. Cortisol, adrenaline, and other hormones regulate energy, blood...
09/29/2025

Stress hormones guide the body’s response to challenges. Cortisol, adrenaline, and other hormones regulate energy, blood pressure, and immunity. When balanced, they protect health, but chronic imbalance can cause fatigue, anxiety, or weight changes. This article explains how these hormones work in physiology and clinical practice, highlighting how personalized care helps restore balance and resilience in both local and virtual patients.

↘ Understanding the Stress Response
↘ Cortisol: The Master Stress Hormone
↘ Adrenaline and Noradrenaline: The Rapid Responders
↘ ACTH and CRH: The Upstream Controllers
↘ Vasopressin, Prolactin, and Growth Hormone
↘ How Stress Hormones Interact
↘ Chronic Stress and Hormonal Imbalance
↘ Stress Hormones in Clinical Care
↘ Patient Cases in Context
↘ Summary of Stress Hormones
↘ Why Personalized Care Matters
↘ Conclusion

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Dr. Tashko explains stress hormones like cortisol, adrenaline, and ACTH, linking physiology with clinical care for balanced health.

What helps people live past 100? Studies of centenarians highlight powerful habits: plant-based diets, natural movement,...
09/26/2025

What helps people live past 100? Studies of centenarians highlight powerful habits: plant-based diets, natural movement, strong relationships, restful sleep, and purposeful living. Supportive geographies, such as sunny coastal towns or highland villages, add further benefit. Longevity does not come from shortcuts but from steady patterns woven into daily life. These communities offer a model of holistic care, balance, and thoughtful living for anyone seeking vitality across decades.

↘ The Remarkable Lives of Centenarians
↘ Shared Characteristics Across Long-Lived Populations
↘ 1. Daily, Moderate Movement
↘ 2. Plant-Rich Eating Patterns
↘ 3. Strong Social Connections
↘ 4. Purpose and Outlook
↘ 5. Balanced Rest and Sleep
↘ 6. Mindful Eating Routines
↘ Summary Table
↘ Patient Cases and Variations
↘ A Balanced Viewpoint

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Dr. Tashko explores centenarian habits, showing how diet, activity, rest, purpose, and geography shape healthy longevity.

Sugary foods may taste harmless, yet they trigger insulin surges that shift cholesterol into dangerous small LDL particl...
09/23/2025

Sugary foods may taste harmless, yet they trigger insulin surges that shift cholesterol into dangerous small LDL particles. These particles drive plaque buildup, often unseen on standard tests. Patients can benefit from advanced lipid testing and lifestyle strategies that reduce sugar intake, improve triglycerides, and lower hidden risks. A thoughtful approach creates real protection for long-term heart and metabolic health.

↘ Why Refined Sugars Matter
↘ The Science of Small LDL Particles
↘ Physiological Chain Reaction
↘ Real-World Cases
↘ Broader Context: Why This Matters
↘ Smart Strategies for Patients
↘ Summary Table
↘ Final Thoughts

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Dr. Tashko explains how refined sugars raise small LDL particles and heart risk, and how testing and lifestyle changes lower it.

MariTide and tirzepatide are changing obesity treatment. Both target gut hormones to support weight loss, yet they act d...
09/20/2025

MariTide and tirzepatide are changing obesity treatment. Both target gut hormones to support weight loss, yet they act differently. Tirzepatide is already approved as a weekly injection, while MariTide is still in trials as a monthly option. Patients may soon have more tailored choices for appetite control and metabolic health.

↘ The Basics of Each Treatment
↘ Shared Benefits
↘ Key Differences
↘ Patient Stories to Illustrate
↘ Summary Table
↘ The Bigger Picture

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Dr. Tashko compares MariTide and tirzepatide, two innovative obesity medications with unique mechanisms, dosing schedules, and patient benefits.

A new study in NEJM highlights MariTide, a once-monthly injection that helped patients lose 12–16% of body weight. The m...
09/17/2025

A new study in NEJM highlights MariTide, a once-monthly injection that helped patients lose 12–16% of body weight. The medication also improved blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes. With fewer injections than weekly GLP-1 drugs, MariTide may improve adherence while offering strong results. At our Montgomery County practice, we guide patients with individualized and holistic weight management strategies.

↘ Study Design
↘ Key Findings
↘ Why This Matters
↘ Patient Examples
↘ Summary Table
↘ Looking Ahead

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Dr. Tashko reviews NEJM trial of MariTide, a once-monthly obesity injection showing strong weight loss and diabetes benefits.

Understanding levels of evidence can help patients see why some medical recommendations feel stronger than others. From ...
09/14/2025

Understanding levels of evidence can help patients see why some medical recommendations feel stronger than others. From randomized controlled trials to expert opinion, each type of research has a place. This blog explains the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force hierarchy and how systematic reviews and meta-analyses fit in, with patient examples from cholesterol, obesity, thyroid, PCOS, and testosterone care.

↘ Why Levels of Evidence Matter
↘ The USPSTF Levels of Evidence
↘ How This Plays Out in Real Care
↘ Putting Evidence Into a Broader Context
↘ Summary Table
↘ Final Thoughts

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Dr. Tashko explains USPSTF levels of evidence, from RCTs to expert opinion, and how they guide patient care decisions.

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15204 Omega Drive, Suite 240
Rockville, MD
20850

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