Deep-space traveling puts you at higher risk of heart diseases

Zee Media Bureau

New Delhi: Are you planning for space navigation in future? It's time you should reconsider your plan because deep space traveling is bad for your heart, according to a new study.

A small study published in Scientific Reports journal on Thursday revealed that deep space astronauts are five times more prone to heart diseases than their Earth-bound peers.The  findings examined the cause of death of 42 astronauts from NASA’s space-faring missions, including Apollo and Gemini, according to The Wall Street Journal (WSJ).

It highlighted that the excessive radiation exposure, coupled with weightlessness, changes the structure of blood vessels in such a way that gives rise to cardiovascular diseases. The study showed that seven of the 24 Apollo astronauts died as a result of heart problem, including Neil Armstrong.

Beyond the Earth's protective magnetosphere, a magnetic layer that shields Earth, venturing into deep-space could result in long-term damage to heart due to the exposure of unprecedented levels of particle radiation in open space. The research is part of a growing body of work suggesting the unique stresses of extraterrestrial life can adversely impact health, WSJ added.