The effects of sighing on the cardiovascular system.

•A single sigh strongly affects a number of cardiovascular functions.•Rhythmical sighing at 0.02Hz imposes high-amplitude oscillations in functions.•Imposed oscillations can be used to study the mechanisms that regulate functions.•A sigh may be an acute respiratory maneuver to mitigate stress via baroreflex mechanism.•High-amplitude oscillations imposed by rhythmical sighing may be clinically useful.