Congratulations on quitting! Here is what you can expect in terms of benefits:
Short and Long-Term Benefits
20 minutes after the last cigarette
• Blood pressure drops to normal.
• Pulse rate drops to normal.
• Hand and foot temperature rises to normal.
8 hours after the last cigarette
• Blood carbon monoxide levels drop to normal.
• Blood oxygen level increases to normal.
1 day after the last cigarette:
• Chances of heart attack and stroke start decreasing.
2 days after the last cigarette:
• Sense of taste and smell begin to heighten.
• Certain nerve endings begin to re-grow.
• Nicotine by-products are removed from the body.
3 days after the last cigarette
• Bronchial tubes start to relax, making breathing easier.
• Lung capacity begins to improve.
2 to 12 weeks after the last cigarette
• Walking and aerobic exercises become easier.
1 month after the last cigarette
• Circulation improves.
• You experience more energy.
1 to 3 months after the last cigarette
• Lung function increases up to 30 percent.
• Bronchial cilia begin to re-grow, there is an increased ability to clean lungs, chances of infection are reduced, and pollutants are cleared.
• Overall body energy increases.
1 to 12 months after the last cigarette
• Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease.
2 to 4 after the last cigarette
• The risk of developing Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease reduces by 5%.
1 year after the last cigarette
• The risk of developing Coronary Heart Disease reduces by 50%.
2 years after the last cigarette
• The risk is reduced for recurrence of ulcers.
• The ability for short-term healing is improved.
• The risk of death from heart disease declines 24%.
3 years after the last cigarette
• The risk of heart attack and stroke approaches that of someone who has never smoked.
5 years after the last cigarette
• The risk of developing mouth, esophageal, throat and bladder cancer reduces by 50%.
5 to 15 years after the last cigarette
• The risk of stroke reduces to that of someone who has never smoked.
10 years after the last cigarette
• Pre-cancerous cells are replaced by healthy, normal cells.
• There is a 50% to 70% reduction in the risk of developing lung cancer.
• The risk of pancreatic cancer is reduced.
10 to 14 years after the last cigarette
• The risk of developing Heart Disease drops to that of someone who never smoked.
15 years after your last cigarette
• The risk of developing lung cancer is the same as non-smokers.
• For Congestive Heart Disease, the risk reduces to the same as someone who has never smoked.
• Life expectancy is as long as that of a non-smoker!
Which benefit are you most looking forward to?
Ashley, Health Educator
