Significant changes in the cardiovasular system of humans and animals have been observed following exposure to prolonged periods of weightlessness during space flight. Although adaption to weightlessness is relatively uncomplicated, marked changes in cardiovascular deconditioning become evident upon return to normal gravity, including orthostatic hypotension and tachycardia. Some evidence that myocardial degeneration occurs has been demonstrated in animals who have been immobilized for two months. Also, evidence of possible loss of myocardial mass following manned space flight has been obtained by means of echocardiographic studies. These findings have serious implications in light of the increasing frequency and duration of Space Shuttle missions and the prospect of extended space station missions in the future. A number of both military and civilian investigators, including middle-aged scientists, will probably encounter prolonged periods of weightlessness. It has been imperative, therefore, to determine the effects of prolonged weightlessness on cardiovascular deconditioning and whether such effects are cumulative or reversible. The research project conducted under NASA Cooperative Agreement NCC 2-126 was undertaken to determine the effects of prolonged simulated weightlessness on regional blood flow. Research results are reported in the three appended publications.
Effects of simulated weightlessness on regional blood flow specifically during cardiovascular stress
1986-01-01
Report
Keine Angabe
Englisch
Cardiovascular Effects of Weightlessness
NTRS | 1985
|Cardiovascular Effects Of Weightlessness
NTRS | 1992
|Cardiovascular Adaptation to Weightlessness
SAE Technical Papers | 1982
|Autonomic control of cardiovascular dynamics during weightlessness
British Library Conference Proceedings | 1998
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