Valsalva maneuver
noun
Val·sal·va maneuver
val-ˈsal-və- 
: 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
Lifting heavy loads: Carrying heavy snow often leads people to unknowingly hold their breath, a phenomenon called the Valsalva maneuver, which raises heart rate and blood pressure.
—
Manahil Ahmad, The Providence Journal, 25 Jan. 2026
The Valsalva maneuver — taking a deep breath and holding it while bearing down — can create maximum intra-abdominal pressure to cushion the spine and protect the low back for specific exercises with significant loads, such as dead lifts or squats.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2025
Another option is the Valsalva maneuver, which requires pinching your nose, closing your mouth and blowing gently out through your ears.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
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
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Manahil Ahmad, The Providence Journal, 25 Jan. 2026
The Valsalva maneuver — taking a deep breath and holding it while bearing down — can create maximum intra-abdominal pressure to cushion the spine and protect the low back for specific exercises with significant loads, such as dead lifts or squats.
—Dana Santas, CNN Money, 9 Oct. 2025
Another option is the Valsalva maneuver, which requires pinching your nose, closing your mouth and blowing gently out through your ears.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 12 Sep. 2025
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
Cite this Entry
“Valsalva maneuver.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Valsalva%20maneuver. Accessed 4 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationMedical 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
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