Interviews
Follow Up with Tonya Henderson-Meyer
Friday, June 1, 2007
PTINR.com Staff
We follow up with Tonya: marathoner, spokesperson for American Heart's "Go Red for Women", and self tester.
Missed the original PTINR.com interview? Read the first Q & A with Tonya Henderson-Meyer.
Q: Describe your preparation for us prior to your Disney Marathon
A: I started in earnest about 6 months before the marathon. I followed a training regimen popularized by Jeff Galloway. It's a combination of jogging and walking at various intervals. I gradually increased my distance.
Q: What was your INR just prior and the first after your marathon?
A: My INR stayed pretty stable throughout training. I was able to stay in my range 2.5-3.5. My dose of warfarin (Coumadin ®) increased by about .5 mg a day when I was doing my training runs.
Q: Did you eat differently prior to the marathon?
A: I'm sure I ate more of everything! I did try to increase protein.
Q: How often do you check your INR?
A: I check every two weeks.
Q: Did warfarin ever cross your mind when you were running your marathon?
A: No I never really thought about it that day. It was so hot I was really just concentrating on keeping hydrated and finishing.
Q: Can you tell us about “Go Red for Women”?
A: “Go Red for Women” is a national campaign by the American Heart Association to raise awareness about heart disease in women. Many women don't realize that heart disease is the leading killer of women over 20. It takes the lives of 1 in 2.5 women. Go Red for Women empowers women to take control of their health through education about risk factors for heart disease. It promotes a heart healthy lifestyle and encourages women to visit their doctor annually and know their numbers (blood pressure, cholesterol, etc.).
Q: Does managing your warfarin play into “Go Red for Women”?
A: For me it certainly does, keeping in range keeps my heart healthy.
Q: With so few women home testing for better control of their INR, what can the AHA do to further the movement for more frequent testing of warfarin?
A: We are talking about what role they may have in this movement.