Performed by attempting to forcibly exhale while keeping the mouth and nose closed. It is an assessment tool, used during surgery, to evaluate the loss of integrity of the Schneiderian membrane.
Closing the glottis and bearing down to create pressure in the chest, resulting in a drop in blood pressure and diminished blood flow to the heart.
Breath holding that involves closing of the glottis and contraction of the diaphragm and abdominal musculature.
Forced exhalation with the mouth and nose closed, causing increased intrathoracic pressure, slowing of the heart rate, increased venous pressure, and a reduced amount of return blood flow to the heart.
Forceful breathing out (exhaling) to open a clogged auditory (ear) tube, or to modify certain heart irregularities.
An exercise that doctors use to diagnose and treat abnormal heart rhythms and relieve chest pain. In the Valsalva maneuver, a person tries to exhale while keeping his or her mouth and nose closed. The maneuver is sometimes used with echocardiography (ultrasound examination of the heart).
An attempt to forcibly exhale with the glottis, nose, and mouth closed. This maneuver causes increased intrathoracic pressure, slowing of the pulse, decreased return of blood to the heart, and increased venous pressure. If the eustachian tubes are not obstructed, the pressure on the tympanic membranes also will be increased. When this maneuver is done with just the glottis closed, only intrathoracic pressure will increase. This maneuver may be helpful in converting supraventricular tachycardias to normal sinus rhythm or in clearing ears that have become blocked during a descent from a high altitude.
Valsalva maneuver involves holding your breath while you strain against a closed epiglottis, as in holding your breath while lifting a weight. You should avoid doing this because it can cause a dangerous elevation of blood pressure. When you lift weights, exhale on the exertion.
During high-performance flying, pilots utilize a technique of grunting and contracting their abdominal muscles to counteract the risk of experiencing blackouts. By doing so, they can maintain proper blood flow and prevent the occurrence of loss of consciousness in such demanding flight conditions.