Hypertension and myocardial infarction risk from iron brake dust

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William J Rowe

Medical University of Ohio, USA

: Int J Cardiovas Res

Abstract

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Of 12 moon walkers, James Irwin on day after return from Apollo 15 mission, showed extraordinary bicycle ( B) stress test (ST) hypertension (275/125) after 3 minutes exercise; supervising >5000 maximum treadmill ST, author never witnessed ST- blood pressure approaching this level. Symptom-limited maximum B stress test showed “cyanotic fingernails”; possibly venous blood trapped peripherally, supporting author’s “Apollo 15 Space Syndrome,” postulating that severe fingertip pain during space walks, triggered by plasma fluid, trapped distally; mechanism could be related to endothelial dysfunction, providing “silent ischemia” warning. Neil Armstrong returned to Earth with severe diastolic hypertension (160/135), consistent with ischemic left ventricular dysfunction; 50 mm increase in comparison with resting BP 110/85. With inhalation of lunar dust, brought into habitat on space suit, with high lunar iron (I) this dust inhalation, along with reduced (R) space flight- transferrin, R antioxidant, calcium (Ca) blocker-magnesium, conducive to severe oxidative stress, Ca overload with potential endothelial injuries. Using moon walker studies as example, my recent editorials show that I dust released from brakes, with over 90% of brakes made of I, is a major hypertension factor and may also contribute to myocardial infarctions.

Biography

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William J. Rowe is a former assistant clinical professor of medicine, Medical University of Ohio at Toledo. He studied 3 world class extraordinary endurance athletes and published their exercise-related magnesium deficiencies. This triggered a 20 year pursuit of the cardiovascular complications of space flight. He has published in LANCET that extraordinary, unremitting endurance exercise can injure a perfectly normal heart.

E-mail: rowefemsinspace@gmail.com