[The present-day issues of space cardiology]

The author sweeps the history of space cardiology since the first space flights of animals and humans to the on-going missions on the International space station. The material is distributed into four sections in accordance with postulates of the scientific theory described in monograph "Space Cardiology" (1967). The first section deals with adaptation of the blood circulation control system to microgravity. Extended microgravity was shown to cause mobilization of additional functional reserves of organism. During the initial 6 months cardiovascular homeostasis is maintained through the intrasystem control mechanisms; a more extended period of microgravity requires active "intervention" of intersystem mechanisms (suprasegmental components of vegetative control). The second section discusses how the left and right parts of the heart contribute to the cardiovascular adaptation, and the paramount role of the right heart at the beginning of space flight. The third section is concerned with degradation of orthostatic tolerance which became a substantial issue already in the very first piloted missions. The paper presents the results of experiments aboard the ISS indicating the practical value of assessing the reserves of the systems controlling blood circulation. The fourth section provides information about new methods for investigation of the myocardium that stand in line for adoption into the space medical operations system. The paper concludes with introduction of several projects in space cardiology to be performed in new future.