Significant cardiovascular changes are associated with space
flight. Outcomes can include:
- Disturbances in cardiac rhythm.
- Postflight faintness upon standing, because of drop in
blood pressure. (orthostatic intolerance).
- Reduced exercise tolerance
- Reduced circulating blood volume
- Changes in vascular function
- Greater susceptibility to orthostatic intolerance in
women than men
Cardiovascular Laboratory personnel conduct ground-based and in-flight research
to establish a normative database of cardiovascular changes due to space
flight. Research activities delineate associated mechanisms and develop
effective countermeasures.
Image right: Operational Tilt Test used to determine orthostatic hypotension.
Comprehensive echocardiography and Doppler examinations are provided for prospective
astronauts. Pre-, in- and postflight medical evaluations are performed
in support of the Medical Operations role of maintaining the safety
and health of crewmembers. Normal testing includes operational tilt
tests, stand tests, heart rate, arterial pressure, cardiac rhythm, cardiac
function (ultrasound), blood volume, plasma catecholamine levels, orthostatic
intolerance, and changes in blood volume after flight.
In-flight hardware is evaluated and developed to support
the science and to monitor crew health. Examples include
the American Echocardiograph Research Imaging System
and hardware for the Human Research Facility such as
an ultrasound
device, pulse oximeter, lower body negative pressure
device, Holter monitor, continuous blood pressure device,
and the
respiratory impedance plethysmograph.
In-flight hardware is evaluated and developed to support
the science and to monitor crew health. Examples include
the American Echocardiograph Research Imaging System and
hardware for the Human Research Facility such as an ultrasound
device, pulse oximeter, lower body negative pressure device,
Holter monitor, continuous blood pressure device, and the
respiratory impedance plethysmograph.
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