Key result
Exposure to space radiation beyond low Earth orbit, particularly heavy ions, can cause damaging cardiovascular effects including myocardial remodeling, fibrosis, and microvascular damage.
Why the study?
Planning for deep space missions increases astronaut exposure to space radiation, but aspects of the pathophysiology of radiation-induced cardiovascular disease remain unclear and no radioprotective compounds are approved.
Space radiation exposure during deep space missions poses significant cardiovascular risks, including myocardial remodeling and atherosclerosis, necessitating the development of effective countermeasures.
Alerts clinicians to CV risks for deep-space crews; leaves open optimal countermeasures pending targeted studies.
Radiation-induced cardiovascular disease is a well-known complication of radiation exposure. Over the last few years, planning for deep space missions has increased interest in the effects of space radiation on the cardiovascular system, as an increasing number of astronauts will be exposed to space radiation for longer periods of time. Research has shown that exposure to different types of particles found in space radiation can lead to the development of diverse cardiovascular disease via fibrotic myocardial remodeling, accelerated atherosclerosis and microvascular damage. Several underlying mechanisms for radiation-induced cardiovascular disease have been identified, but many aspects of the pathophysiology remain unclear. Existing pharmacological compounds have been evaluated to protect the cardiovascular system from space radiation-induced damage, but currently no radioprotective compounds have been approved. This review critically analyzes the effects of space radiation on the cardiovascular system, the underlying mechanisms and potential countermeasures to space radiation-induced cardiovascular disease.
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Meerman et al. (2021) conducted a review in Radiation-induced cardiovascular disease. Space radiation was evaluated. Exposure to space radiation beyond low Earth orbit, particularly heavy ions, can cause damaging cardiovascular effects including myocardial remodeling, fibrosis, and microvascular damage.
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