Cardiovascular diseases in spaceflight

Research outputpeer-review

Abstract

Spaceflight and prolonged exposure to microgravity and radiation significantly impact human cardiovascular physiology, both in the short and long term. Astronauts experience physiological adaptations, including orthostatic intolerance (OI), bone loss, muscle atrophy, and cardiovascular deconditioning, with OI affecting approximately 80% of astronauts postmission. The International Space Station (ISS) serves as a vital platform for studying these effects, though space analogs on Earth are also utilized to mitigate experimental constraints. This chapter reviews key cardiovascular adaptations due to spaceflight, including changes in blood volume, stroke volume, and blood pressure, as well as accelerated cardiovascular aging caused by microgravity and radiation.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationPrecision Medicine for Long and Safe Permanence of Humans in Space
PublisherElsevier GmbH
Pages507-520
Number of pages14
ISBN (Electronic)9780443222597
ISBN (Print)9780443222603
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 2024

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Medicine

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