LEWISTON – “Stuff Happens: The Catastrophic Stress-Cardiovascular Disease Connection” is the topic of a presentation that will be hosted by the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute on Thursday, Oct. 18.

Liz Ashe, director of training at Affiliated EAP, will discuss how exposure to traumatic events relates to cardiovascular disease. Affiliated EAP is a subsidiary of Eastern Maine Healthcare Systems, parent company of Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor.

Tragic events, including workplace deaths and accidents, terminal illnesses in coworkers, robberies and domestic violence, can affect an individual’s emotional state, producing various degrees of psychological fallout or post-traumatic stress.

Research has shown that there is a correlation between experiencing traumatic events and heart disease. The relationship suggests that returning to “normalcy” after a traumatic event is a process and that stress management during that time is critical.

Ashe’s presentation will consider types of workplace events that commonly occur and their reactions that employees exhibit. It will also suggest ways to help those involved, directly or indirectly, with traumatic events get back to their day-to-day routines with minimal problems.

The presentation will be offered on Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. and again at 6 p.m. in Conference Room 4/6, Central Maine Medical Center College of Nursing and Health Professions, 70 Middle St.

Any one with questions regarding the presentation should call 795-8240 or e-mail [email protected].