A recent scientific study issued a dangerous warning to all astronauts, which could lead to their premature and sudden death.
And the “Popular Science” scientific website said that scientists have spotted that astronauts, who spend more time in space, are exposed to a significant contraction of their hearts.
The report noted that scientists noticed the heart of astronaut, Scott Kelly, contracted by nearly a quarter, after nearly a year he spent in space and returned after that in March 2016.
The scientists said that astronauts shrink their hearts by 1 per 40 ounces per week while in space.
Scientists also noticed that the hearts of the astronauts, after their return to Earth, were unable to pump blood and oxygen, with the same quality that it was before they ascended into space.
Benjamin Levine, lead author of the study and professor of internal medicine at the University of Texas in America, said: “Indeed, his heart did not become dysfunctional, and the excess capacity was not reduced to a critical level, but his heart shrank and contracted and atrophied significantly during his travel to space.”
The scientists also observed that the left ventricle of the heart (the most important chamber for pumping oxygen-rich blood to the rest of the body) decreased by an estimated six ounces per five ounces, which reduces their level of physical fitness and makes them less active on the ground, and may be more vulnerable to heart attacks.
This could pose a threat to future space travels, especially if space missions to Mars are planned to take many years.