Microgravity and Cardiovascular Health in Astronauts: A Narrative Review
John Azariah1, Umberto Terranova1
1Faculty of Medicine and Health Science Crewe Campus, University of Buckingham Crewe UK.
Background:
Space exploration has become a major interest for scientific and medical research. With increasing duration and frequency of manned space missions, it is crucial to understand the impact of microgravity on the cardiovascular health of astronauts. We focus on this relationship by reviewing literature that explores how microgravity affects several hemodynamic parameters and cardiovascular biomarkers.
Methods:
We conducted a search updated to November 2024 across several databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, ESA, NASA and DLR, using relevant MeSH terms and selection criteria.
Results:
The 22 selected articles detail how microgravity impacts the cardiovascular system and its adaptations. We identify some clear patterns, such as loss of ventricular mass and increased QT intervals (corrected for heart rate) indicating increased risk of arrhythmias. Our analysis confirms that head-down tilt is an accurate analog of microgravity.
Conclusions:
While a direct link between microgravity and cardiovascular disease, such as coronary heart disease and myocardial infarction, remains elusive, the documented physiological changes pose a potential threat to the astronauts' health. We suggest that future research focus on long-term effects, particularly on female subjects.
Related Concept Videos
01:01Weightlessness
01:18Principle of Equivalence
01:20Exercise and Cardiovascular Response
Light to moderate physical activity initiates a series of interconnected responses in the body. The heart rate modestly increases in anticipation of the workout, followed by widespread vasodilation as oxygen consumption by skeletal muscles increases. This results in decreased peripheral resistance, increased capillary blood flow, and accelerated...
01:20Variation in Acceleration due to Gravity near the Earth's Surface
The difference between the true and apparent weights is proportional to the square of the Earth's...
01:24Acceleration due to Gravity on Other Planets
Astronomical observations are thus used to measure the acceleration due to gravity on other planets. This can be determined by observing the effect of a planet's gravity on objects close to it. The crucial factor that helps in this...
01:23Assessment of the Cardiovascular System I: Subjective Data
Initial Enquiry
Ask the patient about their primary concern and thoroughly explore all reported symptoms.
Medical History
Investigate past illnesses affecting the cardiovascular system, such as angina, anemia, rheumatic fever, congenital heart disease, stroke, thrombophlebitis, dysrhythmias, varicosities
Inquire about symptoms...