what can you do when bearing down doesnt work

[sarab1303]

Im 24 years old and i've had tachycardia sence i was 17 it was just diagnosed last year with my first pregnancy, i had to be taken in the ambulance with my heart almost at 300 for over an hour and it took a long time to get back down to normal, im on  my second pregnancy and its coming back strong again and bearing down isnt really helping anymore is there anything else i can do?


This discussion is related to Triggers and Causes of My Ventricular Tachycardia.

[Spinner7118]

my accupuncturists showed me two pressure points which are useful for me in slowing the tachy.  First one is on the sole of the left foot--about one inch below the pad below the toes...so it is about 2/3 of the way up the foot.  Jam your thumb in there until the thumb hurts...and move it around.

Also below the palms of the hand there is a horizontal line--actually there are two but go to the highest horizontal line--go down two thumbs from it (thumbs are horizontal) and press in the depression there--in a massaging motion.  This cools the heart.  Start on left and do the right also.   These are accupuncture/pressure points I find helpful.

[madjlp]

If the ice is too much of a production you can just try splashing your face with cold water from the tap or fridge - you can do it more quickly than getting a bowl of ice and water together and it works just as well for some people.

[sarab1303]

thank you the ice sounds awful but i'll try it

[madjlp]

(1) Carotid massage (ask your doctor how to do it or look up an explanation online -- this activates the carotid sinus which can slow the heart rhythm)
and
(2) plunging your face in a bowl of ice and water ("shocks" the vagus nerve so to speak which can help restore a regular rhythm)

Good luck!