BLOOD PRESSURE MEASUREMENT INSTRUMENT (BMI)
Research Area: Crew Healthcare Systems
Expedition(s): 7, 8
Principal Investigator(s): ● Claude Gharib, Lyon Grange Blanche, Lyon, France
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
Blood Pressure Measurement Instrument (BMI) demonstrates the functioning of equipment
that are developed from a commercial instrument, dedicated to 24-hours monitoring of blood
pressure and heart rate. BMI aims to investigate blood pressure circadian rhythms in
microgravity.
RESULTS
The Blood Pressure Measurement
Instrument was successfully tested on the
Marco Polo (Soyuz 4S/3S exchange) and
Cervantes (Soyuz 7S/6S exchange)
missions in 2002 and 2003 and also used
as part of the Circa experiment during the
DELTA (Soyuz 8S/7S exchange) mission in- This International Space Station
(ISS) experiment investigated blood
pressure circadian rhythms and was
dedicated to finding out if, and in which
way, these change in weightlessness. The
repeated use of the BMI by astronauts on
the ISS successfully showed that
permanent monitoring of cardiovascular
activities can be achieved without major interference in daily activities, even while performing a
highly demanding job.
This investigation is complete; however no publications are expected.
Astronaut Robert Vittori working with the Blood Pressure
Measurement Instrument equipment. ESA image.