A flock of Canada geese flying over Great Salt lake, USA
Hey there folks, I’m back to discuss what else? The outdoors! Particularly geese! I don’t mean a golden goose like Veronica in Willy Wonka either. We are talking White-fronted geese, dark geese, and light geese. These loud honkers seem to be able to be heard for miles (especially over my house). Not sure if the weather was simply ideal this year, but I saw more geese than I’ve seen in my life.
I know several goose hunters who limited out about every time they went. I, however, was not one of them. To be a good goose hunter, one needs thousands of dollars of decoys plus a big trailer to haul them in. I simply don’t have that many decoys or actually even a place to goose hunt. I have a pond in front of my house that I’ll smack some geese from time to time but really need a big ole wheatfield that’s directly west of my house. I tell you all this now so you can get your budget in order to have that big spread of decoys next year. Don’t forget your Migratory Bird Hunting and Conservation Stamp in addition to your license! There is a plethora of recipes on the good old google, so get that goose out of the deep freeze before it gets freezer burn and get to cookin’!
Enid, Oklahoma – March 11, 2024 – In honor of Women’s History Month, Main Street Enid proudly commemorates the exceptional contributions of five remarkable women who have led the organization as Executive Directors over the past three decades. Since its establishment in 1994, Main Street Enid has remained steadfast in its commitment to preserving and developing the downtown district through innovative initiatives and collaborative partnerships, which has turned into 70 million dollars in private reinvestment in Downtown Enid.
Dawn Muncy, an esteemed member of the Enid community and founder of Muncy Photography, initiated a project to honor the women who have led Main Street Enid throughout its history. Muncy, herself a recipient of numerous accolades within the photography industry, captured the spirit and legacy of these leaders in a stunning group portrait taken at the iconic Enid Symphony Hall.
The five executive directors, Patty Stallings/Youngblood (1994-1997), Anita Luetkemeyer (1997-2001), Lindy Chambers (2001-2012), Kelly Tompkins (2012-2019), and Natalie Rapp (2019-Present), have each played a pivotal role in shaping downtown Enid into a vibrant hub of culture, commerce, and community.
Lindy Chambers, who served in various capacities within Main Street Enid, including as a volunteer, board member, and director, highlighted the collective effort of women and men in making downtown Enid a premier destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment. Anita Luetkemeyer’s tenure saw Main Street Enid’s remarkable achievement of winning the 2001 Great American Main Street Award, a testament to her leadership and dedication to downtown revitalization. Kelly Tompkins reflected on her time as executive director, emphasizing the importance of creating an inviting atmosphere that transported visitors to a vacation-like experience in downtown Enid. Under Natalie Rapp’s guidance, downtown Enid has seen innovative projects like the introduction of the Holidays on Ice Downtown Ice Rink, which is set to embark on its fifth season, and the implementation of permanent building lighting, enhancing the downtown ambiance. Beyond their roles with Main Street Enid, these women have continued to serve and uplift the Enid community in various capacities, embodying the spirit of dedication and leadership.
Dawn Muncy expressed her admiration for these women and their enduring legacy, stating, “Enid is fortunate that all but one of our Main Street Enid directors still live in Enid and continue to serve our community in other positions. These amazing women have built an Enid legacy with a lot of blood, sweat, and tears. We see them hard at work out and about every day. I wanted to show off their formal side with a beautiful environmental group portrait. Their first 30 years have been a resounding success. I look forward to the next 30 years of building and promoting downtown and Main Street Enid. I wanted to honor their service by photographing them in one of Enid’s iconic downtown treasures, Enid Symphony Hall.”
As Main Street Enid celebrates its first 30 years of success, the organization looks forward to the continued inspiration, growth, and promotion of downtown Enid under the leadership of Natalie Rapp and future directors. For more information about Main Street Enid and its ongoing initiatives, please visit www.mainstreetenid.org.
Vickie Grantz was born in Bartlesville, Oklahoma, which is where she grew up. When she got married to her first husband, she moved to Enid. Together, Vickie and Gabriella Wilson founded the Enid SPCA, which stands for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. They founded the Enid SPCA in 1998, and Vickie started out as the Vice President. Her cofounder, Gabriella, was the president. When they opened their first building, Vickie became the first paid position as the Shelter Director. Since then, Gabriella moved, and Vickie has shaped the Enid SPCA.
Her history and legacy with the Enid SPCA is deserving of every bit of recognition. She’s been the “well-spring” of every aspect of animal rescue policies here in Enid for over 20 years now, which includes all new laws and initiatives co-partnered with Animal Welfare and other rescue groups. She works at the Enid SPCA, but their reach doesn’t stop there. Vickie and the Enid SPCA have partnered with Animal Welfare and other rescue organizations many times, and their mission of finding these animals their forever homes never changes.
In Enid, when you think of animal rescues, her name immediately comes to my mind because even if she can’t help you directly, she will always go out of her way to help in some way, shape, or form. The lost, abandoned, and neglected animals of Enid don’t have voices to speak for themselves, but with people like Vickie, they’ll always have a voice speaking out and up for them. Vickie has dedicated the last 25+ years to the Enid community and its animals, and that’s exactly what makes Vickie a local legend.
Have you met the kitties in room 2 yet? Do you have room in your heart and home for special medical cases? If you do, these three will return your love tenfold! They are super sweet, incredibly loving, and have fantastic personalities. They deserve amazing homes!
These cats are considered special medical cases because they all have calicivirus. Unfortunately, this means they must be “only children” or with other cats with calicivirus. This virus causes respiratory infections (snotty noses, weepy eyes, sneezing, etc.) but can also cause oral issues. As with most viruses, there is no cure for this, but they can live good lives with proper upkeep and regular vet checks. *The virus poses no threat to humans.
ESPCA’s team can’t stress enough what great cats they are! Milo is sure to keep you entertained with his big personality. Garfield loves to have all the attention, and Opal is the more laid-back of the group but such a lover! If they tug at your heartstrings and you’d like to add one of these special kids to your family, we highly recommend that you meet them and see how wonderful they are! If you’re not ready to adopt, please share, share, share! They’ve been at the ESPCA for a while, and everyone would love to see them in happy homes!
Aaron, the Aussie, needs your support! The ESPCA was contacted Thursday about helping a dog with an injury from possible abuse. They agreed to cover the costs of X-rays. Unfortunately, the X-rays revealed a broken femur, plus a pin is required. The ESPCA was given two options: take over ownership or allow him to be euthanized.
Well, we are happy to report the team wasn’t going to let Aaron down, and he is scheduled for surgery on Friday, the 8th. This is a costly surgery, and in addition to that, there is no place to put Aaron at the ESPCA. Fortunately, the vet’s office agreed to help “foster” until they can make room for him. The ESPCA must raise approximately $1,000 to cover everything to get Aaron back to a young, spry, active, happy Aussie puppy!
Please call Staerkel Vet at 580.242.4499, PayPal enidspca@suddenlinkmail.com, or donate on their website at enidspca.org, and note Aaron the Aussie. Please donate if you can. Share with everyone you know. Keep this sweet boy, the vets, and his caretakers in your thoughts, prayers, and hearts. You can follow the ESPCA’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/EnidOKSPCA/
I must admit, this review stems from a place of self-interest – reading gardening books is my cure for the dark, cold days of winter. I have watched Huw Richards’s gardening channel on YouTube for years and was curious how his approach and his knowledge translated to book form. The Vegetable Grower’s Handbook is his third book, published in 2022, while his fourth book is expected in May 2024.
The Vegetable Grower’s Handbook presents a very holistic approach to gardening, while still being simple to follow. Not only does Richards talk about different crops and how to grow them, as you’d expect, he covers such things as soil health, compost setups, and planning journals. He presents the larger picture of gardening, the why alongside the how, as well as plenty of actual pictures and diagrams too. There are numerous tips and tricks throughout the book for how gardeners can be not just successful, but also smart and highly efficient in getting there. The book can sometimes seem as much an inspirational, time management book as it is a gardening book. The sections throughout are short and well-organized, so it’s a very accessible book that you can return to often.
Whether you’re a brand new gardener or have decades under your belt, The Vegetable Grower’s Handbook would be a really helpful tool. And although Richards grows in Wales, there is only a tiny fraction of the book that couldn’t work for Oklahoma. Other than his planting dates, the information in the book is broadly applicable to any growing zone. As we get closer and closer to spring, it’s the perfect time to pick up Richards’s book to both educate yourself and get super excited for the growing season.
Visit us in Sunset Plaza or call 580-297-5089 to get your copy of The Vegetable Grower’s Handbook today!
With March comes spring, and with spring comes so many wonderful things, from the changing of the leaves to the warmer temperatures. March also happens to be Women’s History Month, and it all seems very fitting. As life starts to bloom again in the plants and wildlife starts to come out a little bit more, it feels correct that we also recognize and celebrate women this month. In honor of Women’s History Month, we sat down with some of the prominent businesswomen right here in Enid! There were so many women deserving of recognition, appreciation, and celebration, and that made choosing who to interview for this story incredibly hard. However, just because they weren’t interviewed doesn’t mean they can’t still receive some recognition. So, be sure to acknowledge and celebrate the women in your lives as well, as each and every one of them deserves to be and feel appreciated. And, for all of the women out there, Happy Women’s History Month! Treat yourself, spoil yourself, and, most importantly, celebrate yourself! You deserve it!
March is Women’s History Month, and in honor of Women’s History Month, we sat down with some prominent women making their own history right here in Enid! These women are among amazing company, as there are so many more women in Enid who deserve to be recognized, appreciated, and celebrated, too. So, in honor of Women’s History Month, if you know or see a woman working hard and making a difference this month, stop her and let her know she’s appreciated and deserves to be celebrated.
Women often go overlooked and underappreciated, as society tends to celebrate men whilst expecting the moon from women. However, this month, and more specifically, this article is dedicated to recognizing those women who are overlooked, underappreciated, and or taken for granted. Whether you’re choosing to recognize your wife, child’s mother, coworker, superior, or friend, make sure you go out of your way to make them feel seen and special, as they often do for others every day.
When it came to who should be recognized, there was an overwhelming amount of suggestions, from moms to volunteers and business owners. When narrowing it down, we chose to interview a few women currently in the working industry, and we’re calling them “Generation Now.” For “Generation Now,” we sat down with Tristan Cross, Stela Jantzen, Natalie Rapp, and Baylee Keyworth. Each of these women have made strides in their fields and community, and each of these women represent a better future.
Baylee Keyworth has been with RK Black since 2018, and she is a Solutions Specialist. As a Solutions Specialist, Baylee helps people do more with less! Baylee’s interest in her field developed when she was young. She says, “When I was young, my mom owned, what used to be, Copier Plus in Downtown Enid.” She continues with, “She has worked in this industry for many years, and she’s known across the country for what she does. If there is anyone I owe my success to, it’s her.”
Throughout Baylee’s life, there have been many situations that have amounted as obstacles for her, but she states, “As a woman, you must become relentless in a male dominated industry.” She continues with, “I am thankful for the tribulations that’ve helped me become the woman I am today.” Those difficulties fueled Baylee to keep climbing, and, as a result, she’s thankful for what she’s been through because it’s made her who she is, which is what she’s the proudest of today. Looking back, she reflects on her first week at RK Black. “During my first week at RK Black, I was 22 years old, and I was absolutely riddled with anxiety about being enough to make it in the industry. I’m now 28 years old, sitting on my balcony in Ambergris Caye, Belize, with my entire sales team on a Presidents Club trip because not only did I hit my goal, I broke the glass ceiling for myself professionally this year.” Baylee thrives in the face of adversity, which is a quality many women have had to acquire to make it in male dominated industries. When all the odds are stacked against you, the outcome seems predictable. However, if you continue to put forth an effort, not even the glass ceiling can stop you. That doesn’t mean anything will come easy – it simply means nothing is impossible. And, for Baylee, she states, “I made it, but there is still much further to climb.”
When it comes to advice for other women facing the systemic inequalities of the world, she says, “When you feel like you’ve hit a wall, find a woman on the other side. I can guarantee she will throw you a rope.” She continues with, “The path to your highest self is seldom smooth… When the bad days come, take time for yourself. Those are things I wish I would’ve done more of 5 years ago.” So, remember to be kind to yourself and to give yourself grace. As a woman, adversity is already common in many environments, so don’t be another obstacle for yourself. She also shares what she wishes someone would’ve told her when she was growing up, “The days that seem like the world is ending won’t matter at all in time. Our problems are so much smaller than we realize. In a world as big as ours, bad things happen, but life will always go on. So, let go of the things you do not want to carry.” For present and future women, her advice is “Your words are powerful. Speak what you want into existence daily and be nice to yourself.”
Tristan Cross is the Executive Director at Natural Remedies, and she runs their family-owned dispensary, Natural Remedies MMJ. Before running the store, she worked there for 5 years. She’s held her current position for 1 year, and taking on that promotion is a moment she treasures more than most. As the Executive Director for Natural Remedies, she handles most of the day-to-day operations, and she helps run the dispensary along side her parents, who are the co-owners. When it comes to where she is today, she credits her parents. She states, “I credit my parents for where I am today because without them, I wouldn’t even have the opportunity to be here.” Tristan’s parents have set her up for success in more than one way, but, as an adult, her success is now her own as well. Natural Remedies has won Best Dispensary at the annual Best of Enid event two years in a row now, and that effort may not be an individual effort, but there is a leader for every team, and at Natural Remedies, that leader is Tristan.
As she reflects, she mentions the community they’ve built as what she’s the proudest of. “More than anything, I’m proud of the friendships we’ve created and the safe community we’ve built.” Tristan and her team are more than faces behind the counter for their patients; they’re often an ear to vent to, a shoulder to cry on, and a friend you can rely on. In an industry that can often be competitive, prioritizing that safe space and those relationships simply speaks to not only Tristan’s character but also to the place of business that they run. Tristan can undoubtedly hold her own, but that doesn’t mean she’s alone amidst everything. Throughout the interview, Tristan mentions her team and their combined efforts many times. A great leader is aware of what everyone of their team members has to offer, and a phenomenal leader utilizes those strengths to improve themselves, those under them, and their place of business.
Tristan thrives in her position and at her place of work, but she’s still aware of the climates many other women are currently in. For those women in tougher situations, her advice is a quote from Dolly Parton, stating, “I’m not going to limit myself just because people won’t accept the fact that I can do something else.” Throughout life, there will be many different people who may talk down to you or belittle you, however, no one has the power to limit you, but you. Tristan states, “Growing up, I wish someone would’ve told me to never doubt myself or my capabilities.” Moving forward, Tristan expresses her gratitude for her team, parents, the community, and women. “Thank you to the community first and foremost, but also, thank you to the women who’ve opened the doors for all of us. And thank you to the current women for continuing to pave our roads and to future women for protecting our legacies.”
Natalie Rapp is the Executive Director for Main Street Enid, and she will have held this position for 5 years this upcoming September. Main Street Enid was founded in 1994, and its purpose was to breathe life back into the Downtown area. 30 years later, Main Street Enid has done just that. With her title as Executive Director, Natalie does a lot for Main Street Enid, but one of her favorite things to do is event planning. They recently had their 30th annual Light Up the Plains, which is a very big event Downtown. She states, “We coordinated almost 30,000 people Downtown. It was 8 months of planning, so that was a very big and exciting thing to do.” And being a part of such a large event is something she’s proud of today. In 2021, Main Street Enid was named the “Most Outstanding Program of the Year,” and that’s another accolade she’s proud of.
In 2019, Natalie received the Enid Young Professionals Top 10<40 Award at the age of 25, and in 2022, she received the Enid Young Professionals Social Shaker Award. It’s safe to say that Natalie is leaving her stamp on Enid! When it comes to where she is today, she credits her dad. “He was the Executive Director of the YMCA for 34 years, so I was able to grow up watching him really be a part of the community.” She goes on to say that “He also taught me about volunteering at a young age, and he taught me to invest in the community where we live. So, I give him credit for where I am today.”
When it comes to being a woman in today’s world, Natalie’s advice for other women is to, “Under promise and over deliver.” She continues with, “The best way of going about things is to do your best and show them that you can do what’s best.” If she could give her younger self advice, she’d say, “It’s very important to make relationships and connections. I didn’t realize the importance of relationships, communities, and the connections you have because everybody really wants to work towards the same things. Making those connections, knowing who to go to, and being able to reach out to somebody for help is really important.” She continues with, “I think it’s really important for us women to stick together and to be a part of making a difference… I’ve noticed that a lot of business owners and executive directors are women, so they’re realizing their power and that they’re capable of so many things. And I think it’s really important to teach young women and women of all of ages that you can do something big, you just have to put your mind to it and find those people who support you.”
Stela Jantzen is the Executive Director at Park Avenue Thrift, and she’s held that position since 2019. Park Avenue Thrift is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 2007. Park Avenue sells new and preloved items that donors have donated to them, and the sales that result from those donations are turned into funding for classrooms, nonprofit organizations, and events in Enid. In 2023, Park Avenue surpassed $4 million dollars given back to the Enid Community, which is a milestone deserving all the celebration. Before she worked for Park Avenue, she owned a gift boutique called The Felt Bird from 2009 – 2021. She was also the assistant director for Main Street Enid from 2012-2019.
As she reflects on all that she’s achieved and done, she states, “I feel like there are so many people along the way who’ve just been phenomenal. You can’t get anywhere without anybody.” When it comes to where she is today, she credits Malvin Arter, Kelly Tompkins, Molly Helm, and her husband, Riley Jantzen. Throughout her interview, Stela manages to always highlight the fact that it truly takes a village. When recognizing her accolades and achievements, she points out the team behind her who helped make it happen. When she mentions the things she’s most proud of, she shares that light and spotlights everyone who played a part. Stela is aware of her position, but, more importantly, she’s aware of what all it takes for her to thrive in her position. And not only is she aware of what all it takes, she recognizes and celebrates everyone and everything that helps make what they do possible. Stela embodies the term “team player” in every aspect. By recognizing the strengths of those closest to her, she’s able to set everyone up for success. And those are the qualities of a great leader – the qualities that make her stand out.
Stela’s impact on Enid is everywhere, and being able to witness her thrive is inspiring. Her accomplishments are reason to celebrate enough as is, however, who she is coupled with her accomplishments is deserving of even more. As she continues to reflect, she states, “I’m most proud of being involved in the Enid community and helping make a difference.” And she continues with, “If I tie all of my jobs and businesses together, the reason why I did these things is to help make Enid amazing and to have people feel good about being here.” Stela working in the nonprofit sector is absolutely perfect for her because it aligns with who she is as a person seamlessly. She’s compassionate, respectful, humble, giving, and kind, and she’s an inspiration. She finishes up by continuing to share her spotlight, stating, “There are so many phenomenal women business leaders in Enid, OK, and I feel incredibly honored to work alongside them and to be a part of this community.”
As we acknowledge, uplift, and celebrate these 4 women, remember to carry this celebration into the community, as the women in our day to day lives deserve to feel just as celebrated and appreciated. The world we live in is quick to celebrate men, but they’re just as quick to brush over women, which is why this month is so important, especially now. Speak up and speak out for women, and support, uplift, encourage, and be kind to the women in your life. After all, the future is female.
Hey, y’all, and welcome back to Teen Scene in Enid Monthly. This past Christmas break my dad and I went to Texas and had lots of adventures, and I wanted to tell you about them!! I also want to list some great traveling tips with your teen and why Texas is a great place to take them for a reasonable price!
On the first day, we drove ALL the way to Houston, Texas. The drive felt a lot shorter than the 8 hours it really was, and that’s what brings me to my first tip. LET YOUR TEEN SLEEP!! I slept about 5 out of the 8 hours, and it made the trip go by so much faster. After we got into town, we checked into our hotel. A little bit before arriving though we talked about the Houston Rockets and found out they had a game later that night. So, we freshened up and walked a little bit of Downtown Houston before the game. As we were walking up to the Toyota Arena, we found a guy selling amazing tickets for a very reasonable price. This was my very first NBA game, so it was cool getting to sit about 9 rows up from the court. One thing I really appreciated during this trip is that my dad let me make some decisions about what we did and agreed to most of my suggestions, which helped in not having disagreements.
The next morning, we got up bright and early so we could drive to Galveston!! I love the beach, so I looked up how far away we were from one, and it was only about an hour. We ate at a place on the pier and had some pretty decent food and an AMAZING view of the ocean. After we ate, we drove down the whole beach. We went to the Moody Gardens Aquarium. We saw penguins, fish, sharks, sea lions, stingrays, and jellyfish. Then we left Galveston and went back to Houston to get ready for the Oklahoma State and Texas A&M bowl game.
The Texan’s Stadium was HUGE!! It made me feel like an ant on Mount Everest. We got into the stadium, and so many people were there. We sat by a bunch of OSU fans and had a lot of fun. I had some of the best chicken tenders I have ever had in my life. OSU got the win of course, so we had no Thursday scaries. We also stayed at the same hotel as all of the OSU football players, so we got to see a bunch of them. I got pictures with about 9 of the players including Ollie Gordon, Leon Johnson, and Alan Bowman. They were all so nice and friendly.
We drove about 4 hours to Dallas to go shopping and see my family. We found some cute things at the mall in Frisco and ate at this really delicious restaurant called La Cocina. I loved seeing my family, so that was also really fun. We went home the next day.
Overall, I had a great time in Texas just being one state away. You don’t have to travel all the way across the country to have a great vacation. A few extra tips I have for you parents: PLEASE learn how to take pictures, compromise with food/avoid hunger, and respond to our ideas!!
Thank you for reading this month’s article, I hope you enjoyed it! If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for upcoming articles, email me at tweensceneenid@gmail.com
Have a Happy Valentine’s Day and a LOVE-ly (get it) February. Bye for now!!
The Gaslight Theatre of Enid celebrates 15 years of Children’s Theatre productions with the return of Hansel and Gretel, March 16,17,23 and 24.
This year’s play, an original take on the Brothers Grimm classic, was written by Enid native Mary Aiaka Kent.
“Fifteen years ago, I pushed for Gaslight to start these children theatre productions and I directed Hansel and Gretel that very first year,” Kent says. “I wanted to celebrate this special anniversary with a new but familiar take on the classic story.”
Join Hansel and his sister, Gretel, as they wander through the magical woods, encountering fairies, trolls, and witches. But be assured these witches are funny and often sweet. There are laughs for the entire family.
Children’s Theatre productions were originally added to Gaslight Theatre’s annual offering of plays as a way to introduce children to live theatre in a family-friendly atmosphere for an affordable price. Adult actors bring fairy tales to life in a way that is fun and sometimes silly. Performances are shorter to accommodate children’s attention spans and performance times have been adjusted with nap times in mind. Since the beginning, Children’s Theatre has been a highly anticipated part of the Gaslight season with children and adults alike.
“At first, we were taking a chance with children’s theatre but audiences, young and old, just loved it. We have kids who saw that first Hansel and Gretel, fell in love with theatre, and perform on our stage today,” says Kent. “My assistant directors, Mazee Bookout and Sam Coleman, were both kids who saw an early Childrens Theatre production and went on to join Gaslight Teens. It’s like we’ve come full circle.”
Hansel and Gretel is produced in cooperation with KH Financial of Enid who will also be donating their producer’s night performance to 4RKids.
“We can’t thank the folks at KH enough for their support,” says Kent. “They have been fantastic partners and we’re so excited that 4RKids gets to bring the clients they serve and their families to experience live theatre at Gaslight.”
Performances of Hansel and Gretel are March 16, 17, 23 and 24. Performances begin at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Saturdays and 2 p.m. on Sundays. The show is one hour long with an intermission and provided snacks.
Tickets are $5 and can be purchased through the Gaslight website, www.gaslighttheatre.org, by calling 580-234-2307, or in person at the Gaslight Theatre box office located at 221 N. Independence, Enid, OK.
About Gaslight Theatre: The Gaslight Theatre of Enid was founded in 1966 and is one of Oklahoma’s oldest, most active community theatres. Its mission is to provide a wide spectrum of high-quality theatrical entertainment to a broad audience in Enid and the surrounding communities, and to provide a setting for nonprofessional actors, directors, designers and technicians to learn and practice their art. Audition and ticket information is available on the Gaslight Theatre website, www.gaslighttheatre.org.
The Oklahoma Arts Council is the official state agency for the support and development of the arts. The agency’s mission is to lead in the advancement of Oklahoma’s thriving arts industry. The Oklahoma Arts Council provides hundreds of grants to organizations in communities statewide each year, organizes professional development opportunities for the state’s arts and cultural sector, and manages the art collections at the Oklahoma State Capitol. Additional information is available at arts.ok.gov.
Keeping your cholesterol levels in check is important for your heart and your overall health. If that’s a challenge, don’t give up. Cardiologist Scott Carollo, MD, discusses this important health topic and ways to stay on track.
What is cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fatty substance in your blood and cells that is essential for the body’s normal functioning. High cholesterol means you have too much of it in your bloodstream. This can be caused by poor diet, lack of exercise, genetic factors or a combination of these. High cholesterol has been associated with increased risk of complications like heart attacks and strokes. Controlling cholesterol lowers your risk of those.
How does someone find out about their cholesterol levels?
The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends all adults age 20 or older should have their cholesterol (and other traditional risk factors) checked every four to six years through a blood test. If certain factors put you at high risk, or if you already have heart disease, your doctor may ask you to check it more often. Work with your doctor to determine your risk for cardiovascular disease and stroke and create a plan to reduce your risk.
What is the difference between good and bad cholesterol?
There are two kinds of cholesterol, HDL (“good”) and LDL (“bad”), and testing provides a measurement of how much of both is circulating in your blood. According to the AHA, you want your HDL number to be high (ideally above 70), as it protects against heart attack and stroke. LDL is one factor among many to consider when evaluating cardiovascular risk. Your LDL should be below 100 and your total cholesterol should be below 200.
Genetic factors, type 2 diabetes, smoking, being overweight and not exercising can all lower HDL cholesterol. Also, women tend to have higher levels of HDL cholesterol than men do, but this can change after menopause.
What are the main things I can do to control/lower my cholesterol?
• Limit saturated and trans fats
• Eat more foods high in soluble fiber, such as beans, barley, oats, fruits and vegetables
• Add foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids to your diet, such as salmon, herring, mackerel, walnuts, ground
flaxseeds and almonds
• Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, starting slowly and working up gradually
• Lose weight
• Drink alcohol in moderation
• Quit smoking
What should I know about medications?
There are multiple medications that can be used to lower your cholesterol. The choice is typically based on your individual risk factors and goal cholesterol levels. There is really no one-size-fits-all approach. Medications may be needed when lifestyle modifications alone are not enough or if your risk is high enough to warrant starting medications immediately. I recommend talking to your physician about your risk factors and goal cholesterol levels.
What other heart health numbers should I know?
Blood pressure, heart rate, cholesterol, blood sugar and tobacco use can largely impact heart health. These are all interrelated and can affect each other, so it is important to consider the complete picture. There are other things that can be checked if symptoms prompt further evaluation, such as the structure and function of the heart.
To find a doctor and schedule an appointment online, visit stmaryphysicianassociates.com.
For language assistance, disability accommodations and the nondiscrimination notice, visit our website.
