Abstract

This chapter dealt with the three aspects of the cardiovascular system; the heart, veins and arteries, and blood. The negative consequences of microgravity upon the heart were documented, including arrhythmia, cardiac deconditioning, hypertension, cardiac atrophy, diminished cardiac functioning, and impaired orthostatic response. A few solutions to space-induced cardiac conditions were discussed. The vascular system is also negatively impacted by the space environment, it was documented. Damage to the endothelium was described as was the damage to blood vessels from microgravity. It was documented that radiation damages both cerebral arteries and the heart itself. Microgravity reduces blood plasma levels, along with blood levels, red blood cell volume, and the health of white blood cells, it was suggested. Microgravity promotes the viscosity of blood. It was documented that the effects of the space environment on human blood closely parallel those produced by aging.