BUTLER — Heart disease is the most common cause of death among women in the United States, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Butler Health System is offering a free heart attack screening for women Oct. 26 at the Crossroads Campus.

“When women come to us with heart problems, they seem to be more advanced,” said Dr. Angel Flores, a cardiologist at the Crossroads Campus. “The symptoms don’t follow conventional patterns.”

Flores said women are more likely to take care of their symptoms than men. But they aren’t always able to recognize indicators.

While men often experience chest pain, women instead might experience shortness of breath, sweating, lightheadedness or fatigue. The Mayo Clinic says symptoms often occur while a woman is resting or asleep.

BHS won’t be able to screen everyone Oct. 26, but Flores hopes the event will encourage women to share information with each other.

“In a one-time situation, we’re going to be looking at a very small sample,” Flores said. “(But) things tend to spread.”

Screenings will include lipid and glucose profiles; height, weight and body mass indexes; risk factor and blood pressure analyses; ankle-brachial indexes; and carotid Doppler.

Heart disease can be hereditary, and Flores said women can take preventive steps with healthy eating, exercise and staying smoke-free. Sharing knowledge also is a key factor in fighting heart disease.

The Mayo Clinic advises all women to be aware of their risk for heart disease, particularly those under age 65 with a family history of it.

Someone who gets screened at the event may convince friends and family to undergo a screening. Awareness is the best way women can understand their risk for heart attacks.

BHS aims to use the screenings to not only flag existing problems, but also to prevent future problems.

“We create awareness,” Flores said. “We try to promote that in the community.”

Flores wants to make screenings accessible to the public on a regular basis. He hopes the screenings will have “a halo effect” in the community.

Screenings will run from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Oct. 26 at the Crossroads Campus. Screenings are free, but registration is required.

Call 724-431-2905 to schedule.