Discovery: The human heart shrinks in Space!

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Discovery: The human heart shrinks in Space!

The American Heart Association Journal has published a recent finding on the effect of space on the human heart. The research, based on an astronaut, Scott Kelly who spent close to a year in space showed that the human heart shrinks considerably in space due to the absence of gravity.

Scott Kelly, despite engaging in routine exercises like working out on a stationary bike and using the treadmill, lost some heart mass. Scientists have now been able to identify that gravity on Earth is what helps the heart maintain its size and its function of pumping blood into our veins.

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A similar result was found in Benoit Lecomte who swam across the Pacific Ocean for 159 days. This was so because the ocean also defies gravity. Although no adverse effect has been noticed in Kelly thus far for the long term, a further study is underway to establish the effect of space radiation on the heart for longer terms.