Astronaut heart changes stabilize after six months in space with exercise
An international team published results from 13 astronauts who performed echocardiograms during their six-month missions to show how exercise protects hearts in microgravity.
Heart structure adapts to low gravity
Imaging revealed mild but transient changes in heart size and function when moving from Earth gravity to microgravity. Heart chamber walls changed shape, which altered how the heart pumps blood during the mission.
Exercise prevents long-term damage
Initial changes in cardiac structure and function stabilized over the six months spent in space. The authors credit exercise regimens for protecting the astronauts from prolonged time in space and simulated Martian gravity.
Recovery occurs upon return to Earth
Heart metrics returned to normal levels after the crew landed back on Earth. Researchers noted that exposure to three-eighths gravity followed the stabilization period observed during flight.
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