What happens when you quit smoking?
20 minutes after
quitting: Your heart rate and blood pressure drop.
- Effect of Smoking on Arterial Stiffness and Pulse Pressure
Amplification, Mahmud, A, Feely, J. 2003.
Hypertension:41:183.
12 hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in your
blood drops to normal.
- US Surgeon General's
Report, 1988, p. 202
2 weeks to 3
months after quitting: Your circulation improves and your
lung function increases.
- US Surgeon General's
Report, 1990, pp.193, 194,196, 285, 323
1 to 9 months
after quitting: You cough less, and shortness of breath
decreases.
Cilia (tiny hair-like structures in your lungs) start working normally, moving mucus, cleaning your lungs, and reducing your risk of infection.
- US Surgeon General's
Report, 1990, pp. 285-287, 304
1 year after
quitting: Your risk of coronary heart disease drops to
half that of a smoker's.
- US Surgeon General's
Report, 1990, p. vi
5-10 years after
quitting: Your stroke risk drops to that of a
nonsmoker's.
- US Surgeon General's
Report, 1990, p. vi
10 years after
quitting: Your risk of developing cancer of the mouth, throat,
esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decreases.
- US Surgeon General's
Report, 1990, pp. vi, 131, 148, 152, 155, 164,166
15 years after
quitting: Your risk of coronary heart disease drops to that of a
non-smoker's.
- US Surgeon General's
Report, 1990, p. vi
