Tricks to stop an SVT episode

Hi SJM, vasalva maneuver can help. dunking your face in ice water, and I also found curling up in the fetal position on my right side helped. the first two methods stimulate the vagal response which can reset the rhythm, taking you out of SVT. Modified vasalva worked for me but i was at the ER when i first learned i had SVT. that required help of another person. defined as, "A modified Valsalva maneuver involves a strain of 40 mm Hg pressure for 15 seconds with the patient in the semirecumbent position, followed by supine repositioning with 15 seconds of passive leg raise at a 45-degree angle."

I was told put your hand in a fist and blow really hard on your thumb for as hard and as long as you can. It worked a couple of times but not always. Otherwise propranolol.

Try bearing down like you would with a bowel movement. Worked every time for me!

Hi SJM1080,

The best maneuver for me was to submerge my face in ice water. After having an episode that lasted over an hour, this was a method that worked fairly quickly.

Definitely try this the next time you have an episode as it seems to work well.

All the best and take care😊

-Bobiann

Modified Valsalva (see Youtube video describing the research) has been a game changer for me. It doesn't always work but mostly it has since I learnt how. The usual Valsalva had never worked for me.

Other methods are very slowed breathing ie take as long as you can to breathe in then as long as you can to breathe out. Like Buddhist monk style.