LEWISTON — The Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute will present its 14th annual “A Heart to Heart” Conference on Saturday, Feb. 1, at Central Maine Medical Center.

The event will feature presentations by three health care professionals, each focusing on a different aspect of cardiac disease prevention or management.

Doors open at 8 a.m., when students from the CMMC College of Nursing and Health Professions will offer free blood pressure screenings. Cholesterol screenings will also be available. Representatives of the CMMC Health and Fitness Center and Central Maine Heart Associates will be on hand to offer individual coaching on cardiac disease risk reduction.

The morning’s schedule of events will kick off at 8:30 a.m. with opening remarks by Susan Horton, executive director of the Central Maine Heart and Vascular Institute.

Registered dietitian Amanda Ettinger will follow Horton with a presentation entitled “Savor the Flavor, Without the Salt.”

She will discuss how excessive salt consumption has been linked to numerous health issues, including heart attack and stroke. Her presentation will consider how much of the average person’s salt intake comes from food consumed in restaurants and bought in grocery stores. She will provide tips for eating healthier and tastier food without so much salt.

At about 10 a.m., Daphne Russell from United Ambulance, and an emergency cardiac patient will discuss “Calling 9-1-1 and What I Need To Know.” Russell and the patient will talk about what happens when someone calls 9-1-1 and why it is important for someone to call when immediate help is needed.

From about 10:45 a.m. until noon, Joanne LeBrun, director of Tri County Emergency Medical Services, will talk about “Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Your Last Best Chance.”

LeBrun’s topic will consider what response is required when someone collapses and is in cardiac arrest. Her presentation will help program participants learn how to quickly recognize a cardiac arrest and spring into action. She will teach those at the event to perform CPR.

The conference is open to public at no charge. Seating is limited to the first 100 registrants.

To register or for more information, call 795-8448. Registrations can also be made via email at [email protected] or by visiting the events calendar at www.cmmc.org. Interpreter services are available upon advance request.