Ever wondered what happens to your body and your health when you quit smoking? The following information is courtesy of the
Center for Disease Control and Prevention and was taken from the 2004 Surgeon General's Report.
Within 20 minutes after you smoke that last cigarette, your body begins a series of changes that continue for years.
- 20 Minutes After Quitting: Your heart rate drops.
- 12 hours After Quitting: Carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.
- 2 Weeks to 3 Months After Quitting: Your heart attack risk begins to drop; Your lung function begins to improve.
- 1 to 9 Months After Quitting: Your coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
- 1 Year After Quitting: Your added risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker’s.
- 5 Years After Quitting: Your stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker’s 5-15 years after quitting.
- 10 Years After Quitting: Your lung cancer death rate is about half that of a smoker’s; Your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas decreases.
- 15 Years After Quitting: Your risk of coronary heart disease is back to that of a nonsmoker’s.
