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Topeka, Kan. (April 10, 2010) – Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson and First Lady Stacy Parkinson helped launch a statewide women’s heart initiative April 10 at Cedar Crest, the governor’s mansion in Topeka.  About 95 female legislative, civic and business leaders from across Kansas attended.

The initiative is "A Change of Heart® -- for Kansas," a program developed by The University of Kansas Hospital to improve women’s heart health.

"A Change of Heart® -- for Kansas," was inspired by the fact one out of four women die from coronary vascular disease, yet, according to cardiology experts, only half of the women in the United States are aware of their risk for heart disease.  The hospital’s specially-designed heart health assessment empowers women with the tools needed to reverse these trends and make individual lifestyle changes to improve their heart health.

Of the more than 500 women who have taken the heart health assessment at The University of Kansas Hospital since 2008, 88 percent were determined to have at least one or more risk factors for heart disease.

"The program has been so popular in the Kansas City area, we've had to expand to accommodate the demand for heart health assessments,” said Bob Page, president and chief executive officer. "We are honored the Governor and First Lady are giving their time and opening their home to help us expand the program throughout the state."

Page said the program's goal is to help Kansans live longer and reduce the heart mortality rate, especially among women.  A research project to measure the effectiveness of the campaign will be part of “A Change of Heart® -- Kansas.”

First Lady Stacy Parkinson spearheaded the event at Cedar Crest. She was also honorary chair of Girls' Night In, which is the annual fundraiser for A Change of Heart.