The Cardiovascular System
Why Should I Know This?
As with many areas of the body, it is good to know about the cardiovascular system because of the important contribution it plays in bodily function. When engaged in kink activities, having even a rough understanding of where the arteries and veins of the body are can make a tremendous difference in the comfort and well being of the bottom. If you are playing with knives or any kind of blood play, this information becomes increasingly important or even if you are simply doing some bondage, this information can reduce the chance of constricted blood flow that can lead to numbness or unwanted discomfort.
What is the Cardiovascular System?
The cardiovascular system is made up of your heart, blood and blood vessels. This system uses your blood to deliver oxygen and nutrients to every area of your body as well as pick up waste products for disposal (Discovery Communications Inc, 2000).
Your blood pumps through two different channels: arteries or veins. Arteries are broad-walled tubes that are covered by yellow elastic fibers. The elastic fibers are filled with muscles that absorb the pressure waves from your heartbeat and slows your blood flow down; this pressure is commonly known as your pulse. Veins, in contrast, have thin and slack walls since your blood has already lost the pressure from your heartbeat and carries your deoxygenated blood back to your heart (HowToMedia, 1999).
Better Cardio, Better Endurance
Some kinky activities can be quite rigorous and leave you out of breath. Strengthening your cardio will help build your endurance for BDSM and sex. Learning more about your body and striving to stay healthy will help you sustain a long and fulfilling fetish lifestyle. It is important to remember that what is healthy for one person may not be healthy for someone else. Take your medical history into account along with your body type and consult your physician if you have any health concerns.
Article References
Allen, M., Bagg, A., Hamilton, J., John, K., Fricker, J., de Burgh, J., et al. (2007). The Human Body Book. New York: DK Publishing.
Bianco, C. (1998). How Your Heart Works. Retrieved 11 23, 2011, from How Stuff Works: http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/human-biology/heart.htm
Discovery Communications Inc. (2000). Cardiovascular System. Retrieved 11 23, 2011, from Discovery Kids: http://yucky.discovery.com/flash/body/pg000131.html
HowToMedia. (1999). Cardiovascular System. Retrieved 11 23, 2011, from Inner Body: http://www.innerbody.com/anim/card.html
The Franklin Institute. (1996). The Human Heart. Retrieved 11 23, 2011, from The Franklin Institute: http://www.fi.edu/learn/heart/
Image References
Someone else's art deserves recognition! The images presented in this article were borrowed from the following places:
Header Image: http://www.idahoelderlaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Cardiovascular-System.jpg | Retrieved April 28, 2015
Image 1: Allen, M., Bagg, A., Hamilton, J., John, K., Fricker, J., de Burgh, J., et al. (2007). The Human Body Book. New York: DK Publishing.