Long Term Microgravity: A Model for Investigating Mechanisms of Heart Disease with New Portable Equipment (Card)
05.15.09
Overview | Description | Applications | Operations | Results | Publications | Images
Experiment/Payload Overview
Brief Summary
The Long Term Microgravity: A Model for Investigating Mechanisms of Heart Disease with New Portable Equipment (Card) experiment studies blood pressure decreases when the human body is exposed to microgravity. In order to increase the blood pressure to the level it was on Earth, salt is added to the crewmembers' diet. To monitor this, blood pressure readings and urine samples are performed at different intervals during the mission.
Principal Investigator
Peter Norsk, M.D. University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark
Co-Investigator(s)/Collaborator(s)
Niels Juel Christensen, M.D., Herlev University Hospital, Copenhagen, DenmarkMorten Damgaard, M.D., Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, DenmarkAnders Gabrielsen, M.D., Danish Aerospace Medical Center of Research National University Hospital (Rigshospitalet), Copenhagen, DenmarkMartina Heer, M.D., Institute of Aerospace Medicine, Cologne, GermanyMogens Tango, M.D., Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, SwedenNiels Gadsboll, M.D., Bispebjerg University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
Payload Developer
Danish Aerospace Medical Centre of Research, Copenhagen, Denmark
Sponsoring Agency
European Space Agency (ESA)
Expeditions Assigned
|19|
Previous ISS Missions
Information Pending
^ back to top
Experiment/Payload Description
Research Summary
- Astronauts experience low blood volume during missions which may be a result from decreased sodium in the body.
- This study will examine the relationship between salt intake and the cardiovascular system when exposed to the microgravity environment.
- Results from this may lead to additional health safety measures for astronauts to protect them on long duration missions.
Description
In microgravity the cardiovascular system relaxes causing a drop in the blood volume and pressure. This also causes the fluid and sodium retaining systems to be activated. One theory of this occurrence is that the body?s of sodium is decreased. This investigation will examine whether blood pressure and volume can be restored to the same levels that were measured during groundbased measurements by adding additional salt to the astronauts? food.
^ back to top
Applications
Space Applications
Information Pending
Earth Applications
Information Pending
^ back to top
Operations
Operational Requirements
Information Pending
Operational Protocols
Information Pending
^ back to top
Results/More Information
Information Pending
^ back to top
Related Web Sites
The information provided is courtesy of the ESA Astrolab Mission web page.
Astrolab Newsletter
^ back to top
Publications
Results Publications
^ back to top
Related Publications
^ back to top
ImagesInformation Provided and Updated by the ISS Program Scientist's Office