Heart Health & Sexual Performance Your penis works on blood pressure. The brain sends signals to your penis, which causes vessels to become engorged with blood. Your heart pumps that blood. When problems arise during this process, the penis can go prematurely limp because the vessels cannot sustain the pressure for as long as you’d like (AHA, 2012). Further complications can include inability of the penis to reach a full erection. You want to make sure your circulatory system is working at top shape. Basically, what’s good for your heart is good for your sexual health.