We’ve all heard about the dangers of smoking, but what can you expect if you quit?
20 minutes after quitting—heart rate and blood pressure drop.
8 hours after quitting—carbon monoxide levels in the blood decrease to normal and oxygen levels in the blood increase to normal.
48 hours after quitting—nerve endings start to regrow. The ability to smell and taste begins to return to normal.
2 weeks to 3 months after quitting—blood circulation and lung function improve.
1 month to 9 months after quitting—coughing and shortness of breath improve. Cilia (moving hair-like structures) in the lungs start functioning normally. This increases their ability to handle mucous, clean the lungs, and reduce respiratory infections.
1 year after quitting—heart disease risk drops.
5 years after quitting—stroke risk drops to that of a nonsmoker.
10 years after quitting—lung cancer risk drops by half and risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decreases.
There are so many ways to quit smoking. You may decide to use nicotine replacement therapy, prescription medication, hypnosis, behavioral techniques, or to quit cold turkey. Whichever method you choose, remember that there are many health benefits that await you when you quit.