One in five women in the United States have some form of heart disease, and it’s the No. 1 killer of American women, according to the American Heart Assn.

“We know a lot about men and heart disease, but we don’t know very much about women and heart disease,” said Marcia McCoy, director of the Women’s Cardiac Center at St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. “This really could have a devastating impact on health care for our families.”

About 100 women attended a program Thursday in Lawrence that focused on heart disease and women. The event was part of the American Heart Assn.’s national “Go Red for Women” campaign.

The campaign was started to educate women about heart issues. Officials said fewer than half of all women were aware heart disease was the top killer of American women. Most women identify cancer as the leading cause of death.

Various speakers talked about exercise, good nutrition and healthy living.

“For exercise, it’s not about finding time,” Kansas University women’s basketball coach Bonnie Hendrickson said. “It’s about making time.”

“When someone asks you something about your heart health, asks you what your cholesterol is or asks you what your blood pressure is, it is no longer acceptable for you to say ‘I don’t know,'” McCoy said.

6News video: Campaign aims straight for women’s hearts (04-14-05)

For more information about the Go Red campaign or women and heart disease, go to www.americanheart.org.