Paddles and free cardiology visits for a healthy heart will arrive in Avigliana (Turin) on September 21, in the second stage of the third edition of the CardioBreast Dragon Boat Festival, the event promoted by the National Institute of Cardiovascular Research (Inrc) with the collaboration of the Italian Dragon Boat Federation (Fidb) and the unconditional contribution of Daiichi Sankyo Italia. Saturday morning, starting from the shores of Lake Avigliana, in Corso Laghi 292, the ‘Dragonesses of Avigliana’, with the motto “You don’t fight the Dragon, you ride it!” will challenge each other in a friendly race between female Dragon Boat teams made up of women who have undergone cancer surgery and, at the end of the performance, they will share their life and sporting experiences with the public and supporters.
For the entire duration of the event, from 9:30 to 14:00, an Inrc camper will be available to spectators and fans to carry out free cardiology visits, with cardiac function checks, electrocardiogram, lipid panel checks, blood pressure and saturation monitoring. During the initiative, information material on cardiovascular and oncological prevention will also be distributed, created in partnership with the patient associations that support the project: Association for the fight against cerebral stroke (ALICe Italia OdV), National coordination of heart associations (Conacuore OdV), Italian heart foundation (Fipc), National association of women who have undergone breast surgery (Andos OdV), Europa Donna, Italian League for the fight against tumors (Lilt) and Onco Beauty Onlus.
Recent studies – a note reports – have shown that an oncology patient, after diagnosis, has a 42% increase in cardiovascular risk and, in the event of a cardiovascular event, his or her 8-year survival rate can be reduced by 20% compared to the rest of the population. Added to this is the psychological impact of the diagnosis and treatment of neoplasms that often leads to depression, as demonstrated by several studies.
“The Dragon Boat discipline, thanks to the rhythmic and harmonious movement of the paddle, not only offers effective physical rehabilitation to women who have undergone breast surgery, helping them to combat the after-effects of surgery, preventing lymphedema in particular and promoting postural rebalancing thanks to muscle strengthening – explains Fulvia Pedani, oncologist at Città della Salute e della Scienza in Turin, national coordinator and president of the Turin OdV Andos Committee – but it also contributes to improving the psycho-emotional state. Mutual support, feeling necessary for the good common result, sharing such a difficult path increase motivation and the stimulus to rebirth, promoting socialization, often compromised, and self-esteem for the good results obtained”.
Dragon Boat is a sport suitable for everyone and can be practiced both at a competitive and amateur level – in fact, no particular skills are needed, other than knowing how to swim – and as a low-intensity aerobic activity it can play a key role in cardiovascular prevention, both for men and women. This type of exercise, if conducted correctly and with periodic checks, can have numerous beneficial effects on the body, such as improving cardiac function, blood circulation, breathing, metabolism and mood.
“We are happy to support the CardioBreast Dragon Boat Festival because initiatives like these shed light on often overlooked issues, such as the increased cardiovascular risk in cancer patients – comments Nicoletta Reale, past president of ALICe. Italia OdV – and, at the same time, also raise awareness among healthy people on the fundamental importance of primary prevention, showing everyone how correct behaviors and actions can impact the quality of life and psycho-physical well-being, as well as how periodic check-ups can really make a difference. Physical activity is in fact a precious ally against cerebro-cardiovascular diseases, but it is important to underline that adopting a healthy lifestyle – quitting smoking, reaching a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet and doing regular physical activity – significantly affects life expectancy, with a good 10 more years of life without disease”. The next stops of the Dragon Boat Festival are October 19 in Florence (Parco dell’Alberta), October 26 in Palermo (Lega Navale Arenella). For more information www.dragonboatfestival.it
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