(KUTV)  Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. An estimated 600,000 people die every year from heart disease. The month of February is dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease and prevention.

Doctors say like your car, you need to do regular maintenance on your heart. Dr. Rex Outtrim, a cardiologist at the Intermountain Heart Institute in Murray, says part of that maintenance is diet and exercise. “I like people to maintain a calorie count of 2,000 or less a day,” says Dr. Outtrim. He says you should eat plenty of fruits and vegetables. You should also exercise 5-to-6 times a week. “Whatever you can do; whether it is swimming, walking, running or the elliptical,” says Dr. Outtrim.

Doctors say you should also get plenty of rest at night and try to minimize your stress. You also need to get regular checkups. You should be getting your blood pressure checked regularly; your glucose and cholesterol levels checked; and you should get a test called an EKG.

Intermountain Medical Center will provide these tests, free of charge, during their annual Community Healthy Heart fair. The event is on February 9th from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. and is free. You can get free EKG screenings, cholesterol, glucose, blood pressure and body fat tests. No registration is necessary. For more information, visit: www.intermountainheartinstitute.org. You can also call: (801) 507-4701.

(Copyright 2013 Sinclair Broadcasting Group)

Heart Disease Leading Cause Of Death In U.S.