Sunita Williams, a veteran astronaut, recently returned to Earth from her extended mission on the International Space Station (ISS), bringing not only new experiences but also vital insights about the effects of microgravity on the human body. As an Indian-American astronaut with two spaceflights under her belt, Williams has been at the forefront of conducting advanced studies aimed at improving human health on Earth. But what happens inside ISS? Among the primary areas of study undertaken aboard the ISS is pioneering cardiac research, which has enormous promise for improving heart health. To understand better let us take  a sneak peek.

February, while commonly linked with Valentine's Day, is also known as American Heart Month—an annual commemoration to raise awareness about heart disease, which remains the top cause of death in the United States. Researchers are conducting some of the most innovative heart health research in space, aboard the International Space Station, in addition to earthly endeavours. The National Lab on the ISS has financed a number of experiments aimed at better understanding the effects of microgravity on the heart and developing innovative treatments for cardiovascular illnesses.

Microgravity—the weightlessness experienced in space—causes dramatic alterations in the human body, especially the cardiovascular system. According to research, extended exposure to microgravity can weaken cardiac muscle cells, increase tissue degeneration, and mimic the consequences of ageing or heart disease more quickly than on Earth. This unique setting enables researchers to study biological changes that might otherwise take years to show under normal conditions, assisting in the development of possible medicines for heart failure and other diseases.

Stanford University researchers used human-induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to produce heart muscle cells, known as cardiomyocytes, onboard the International Space Station. This was the first study of its sort that examined heart function at the cellular level in space. The initial findings, published in Stem Cell Reports, show that iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes constitute a reliable model for studying heart function in microgravity. This study paved the way for future stem cell-based research in space.

Spaceflight impacts heart cells in novel ways that may assist regenerative medicine. Researchers revealed that microgravity can be used to improve the growth and function of synthetic heart tissues.

In one such ISS National Lab-sponsored effort, researchers investigated whether modified cardiac muscle tissue cultivated in microgravity may be used as a credible model for researching heart failure and testing new drugs. This study not only sought to improve patient care but also provided insights into how microgravity impacts cellular growth and tissue function.

Researchers from Loma Linda University also researched cardiovascular progenitor cells (CPCs), which are immature heart cells that can evolve into several types of cardiovascular cells under microgravity. Their findings suggested that microgravity causes positive alterations in CPCs, which could promote regenerative therapies for healing injured cardiac tissue on Earth.

Another novel technique is to use cardiac tissue chips—small devices that imitate the shapes and functions of human tissues—to study how microgravity affects heart cells. During Expedition 68, UAE astronaut Sultan Alneyadi conducted comprehensive studies in the Kibo laboratory module's Life Science Glovebox, laying the path for future cardiac research.

These tissue chips provide an excellent platform for modelling heart failure, studying disease development, and testing potential therapies in a controlled, weightless setting. Their use in orbit not only improves our understanding of heart physiology, but it also speeds up drug discovery and personalised medicine efforts here on Earth.

Conducting space-based research is not without hurdles. Culturing and transporting stem cells to and from the ISS poses logistical challenges, including ensuring cell viability throughout the journey. However, Emory University researchers devised a revolutionary cryopreservation technology that substantially simplifies the process. This advancement assures that cardiac research in space is viable and effective, opening the path for future advances in cardiovascular medicine.

Sunita Williams' return to Earth serves as a reminder that space exploration is about more than simply comprehending the universe; it is also about finding solutions to serious health issues on Earth. Cardiac research on the ISS offers a paradigm shift in our approach to cardiovascular medicine. Scientists can use the peculiar conditions of microgravity to hasten the development of regenerative medicines, improve heart failure models, and optimise drug testing methods.

In a country like India, where cardiovascular disease rates are rising due to sedentary lifestyles and bad eating habits, space-based study findings could have far-reaching effects. With greater collaboration between Indian academic institutions and worldwide space organisations, the ambition of harnessing space-based discoveries to enhance healthcare outcomes for millions of people could soon come true.

As space travel enters a new age with lengthy missions to the Moon and Mars, the scope of cardiac research aboard the International Space Station is set to increase. Scientists are currently investigating the idea of bioengineering heart tissue that could eventually replace failing hearts, eliminating the need for transplants. With ongoing advances in stem cell technologies and tissue engineering, space-based cardiac research could be the key to treating some of the most severe cardiovascular health issues.

The heart of space research is stronger than ever, with major findings destined to alter cardiovascular treatment. Sunita Williams' quest is more than just discovering new horizons; it is also about bringing those discoveries back to Earth to help millions of people suffering from heart disease. As we mark American Heart Month, it's a good reminder that sometimes the path to solving problems on Earth is far beyond the stars.