Apollo astronauts more likely to suffer heart problems

It’s been almost half a century since we first sent human beings to the moon and yet we’re still sorting out the effects of this wild journey.

A new study published today in Scientific Reports found that, compared to astronauts traveling to the International Space Station (ISS), deep-space exploring astronauts might be more likely to suffer heart problems later in life.

Of the 24 Apollo astronauts who ventured into deep space, eight have died.

This study only included seven of the deceased astronauts because the eighth died after the data analysis had been completed. Still, it found that 43 per cent of these Apollo deaths were due to cardiovascular problems. This rate is about four to five times higher than in other astronauts, and nearly double the 27 per cent cardiovascular disease death rate of the general public.

Because the study was based on such a small sample size, we should be cautious about drawing definitive medical conclusions from the data, according to Michael Delp, lead author of the study. Still, it’s definitely something that scientists should think about, especially as they plan out future manned missions to Mars or the moon.

“We thought it was important to publish these results because it is also difficult to ignore the possibility that deep space travel ... may be having a much more adverse effect on cardiovascular health than previously estimated,” Delp said.