What Happens When You Quit Smoking
You might be wondering what happens when you quit smoking! Within 20 minutes of smoking your last cigarette, your body begins a series of changes that continues for years. Many benefits are lost by smoking just one cigarettea day. 20 Minutes - Blood pressure drops to normal
- Pulse rate drops to normal
- Body temperature of hands and feet increases to normal
8 Hours- Carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal
- Oxygen level in blood increases to normal
24 Hours- Chance of heart attack decreases
48 Hours- Nerve endings start regrowing
- Ability to smell and taste is enhanced
2 Weeks to 3 Months- Circulation improves
- Walking becomes easier
- Lung function increases up to 30 percent
1 to 9 Months- Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue,and shortness of breath decrease
- Cilia regrow in lungs, increasing their ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce infection
- Body’s overall energy increases
1 Year- Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half thatof a smoker
5 Years- Lung-cancer death rate for average former smoker(one pack a day) decreases by almost half
- Stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker
5 to 15 years after quitting- Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagusis half that of a smoker’s
10 Years- Lung-cancer death rate is similar to that of a non-smoker
- Precancerous cells are replaced
- Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, cervix and pancreas decreases
15 Years- Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker
Source: American Cancer Society
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