Valsalva maneuver

noun

Val·​sal·​va maneuver val-ˈsal-və- How to pronounce Valsalva maneuver (audio)
: a forceful attempt at expiration when the airway is closed at some point
especially : a conscious attempt made while holding the nostrils closed and keeping the mouth shut (as for the purpose of adjusting middle ear pressure)

called also Valsalva

Examples of Valsalva maneuver in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Likewise, relief of the palpitations through the Valsalva maneuver (a breathing technique) suggests SVT. Rafle Fernandez, Verywell Health, 10 Sep. 2024 In the case of a Valsalva maneuver, increasing pressure in the chest cavity causes your blood pressure to rise. Trisha Pasricha, Washington Post, 29 July 2024 Try the Valsalva maneuver This breathing technique is sometimes recommended by medical professionals to help patients slow down a too-fast heart rate or assess problems with the autonomic nervous system. Blane Bachelor, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Apr. 2024 In technical terms, a grunt is a Valsalva maneuver (attempting to exhale against a closed airway), which increases pressure in the chest cavity. Bryant Stamford, The Courier-Journal, 2 Feb. 2023 Try a version of the Valsalva maneuver. Brian Sumers, Condé Nast Traveler, 12 Dec. 2022 Adalja also recommended the Valsalva maneuver — holding your nose and blowing out — as well as using saline spray to ensure your passages are as clear of mucus as possible before flying. James Bikales, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Dec. 2022 The Valsalva maneuver might increase eye pressure in a way that can rupture superficial retinal blood vessels, the researchers suggest. Julie Stewart, Men's Health, 26 July 2022 For example, another case report recently described torsade de pointes induced by the Valsalva maneuver in the setting of QTc interval prolongation (5). Ncbi Rofl, Discover Magazine, 3 Apr. 2013

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Valsalva maneuver.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

after Antonio Maria Valsalva †1723 Italian anatomist, who described it

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Valsalva maneuver was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near Valsalva maneuver

Cite this Entry

“Valsalva maneuver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Valsalva%20maneuver. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Medical Definition

Valsalva maneuver

noun
Val·​sal·​va maneuver
variants also Valsalva's maneuver
: a forceful attempt at expiration when the airway is closed at some point
especially : a conscious effort made while holding the nostrils closed and keeping the mouth shut especially for the purpose of testing the patency of the eustachian tubes, adjusting middle ear pressure, or aborting supraventricular tachycardia

called also Valsalva

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!