English: Every month on StationLIFE, we’ll focus on a scientific area where the International Space Station is conducting groundbreaking research. This month, astronaut Tracy Dyson talks about studies into cardiovascular health aboard the International Space Station.

This February, we wanted to focus on cardiovascular research onboard the International Space Station, which coincides with the American Heart Month. Like bones and muscle, the cardiovascular system deconditions (gets weaker) in microgravity.

Long-duration spaceflight may increase the risk of oxidative damage and inflammation in the cardiovascular system primarily from radiation, but also from psychological stress, reduced physical activity, diminished nutritional standards and, in the case of extravehicular activity, increased oxygen exposure. Developing countermeasures to keep astronauts’ hearts healthy in space is applicable to heart health on Earth, too!

Be sure to check back every month to see more of how we’re working "Off the Earth, For the Earth."

http://www.nasa.gov/iss-science

HD download link: https://archive.org/details/StationLIFE
________________________________________
FOLLOW THE SPACE STATION!

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Space_Station
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ISS

Instagram: https://instagram.com/iss/