Astronauts live in a practically weightless environment, scientifically known as microgravity. The effects of microgravity on the human body are various and fascinating – some of them damaging, some redeeming. New research finds a therapeutic purpose for the impact of microgravity on human stem cells.
From the brain shifting upward to muscles shrinking, veins swelling, and astronauts' faces getting puffy, the effects of microgravity on the human body are fascinating, to say the least.
But how do weightless conditions affect the heart? Because this vital organ doesn't need to pump as much blood throughout the body as it would under gravity, over time, blood vessels tend to become less elastic and thicker, which raises the risk of heart disease.
As a counterpoint to these negative consequences, however, scientists are uncovering more and more potentially therapeutic effects of spaceflight on the human heart.
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