"Some Benefits of Quitting Smoking"Source: American Cancer Society, Inc 1599 Clifton road NE, Atlanta.
Within 20 Minutes
- Blood pressure drops to a level close to that before the last cigarette
- Temperature of hands and feet increases to normal
Within 8 Hours
- Carbon monoxide level in the blood drops to normal
Within 24 Hours
- Chance of heart attack decreases
Within 2 Weeks to 3 Months
- Circulation improves
- Lung function increases up to 30%
Within 1 to 9 Months
- Coughing , sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease
- Cilia regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs and reduce infection
Within 1 Year
- Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker's
Within 5 Years
- Stroke risk is reduced to that of a non smoker 5-15 years after quitting
Within 10 Years
- Lung cancer death rate about half that of a continuing smoker's
- Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases
Within 15 Years
- Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker's
