How Does Space Exploration Affect the Heart and Blood Vessels?

Abstract

During missions in space, men and women are exposed to many factors that can alter the cardiovascular system, which consists of the heart and blood vessels. Both onboard the International Space Station and in space crafts in deeper space, people experience very little (micro) gravity. Because the human cardiovascular system is used to working against the gravity we have on Earth, living in microgravity can lead to unwanted changes. Moreover, exposure to space radiation, the diet onboard space missions, and the mental stress of long-term missions can all influence cardiovascular health. This article reviews the current knowledge of how the environment in space can alter the heart and blood vessels of space explorers, and it discusses some things that we still do not fully understand. The research in this area is ongoing and is very important to make future human missions into deep space possible.