What are the benefits of quitting?

Benefits of quitting can be seen even within 20 minutes:

20 minutes: Blood pressure decreases, pulse rate drops, temperature of hands and feet increases.

8 hours: Carbon monoxide level in the blood drops to normal. Oxygen level in the blood increases to normal.

24 hours: Chance of a heart attack decreases.

48 hours: Nerve endings start re-growing; ability to smell and taste is enhanced.

2 weeks to 3 months: Circulation improves, walking becomes easier and lung function increases.

1 to 9 months: Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease.

One year: The risk of coronary heart disease decreases to half that of a smoker.

5-15 years: Stroke risk is reduced to that of people who have never smoked.

10 years: The risk of lung cancer drops to as little as half that of continued smokers. The risk of ulcers also decreases.

15 years: The risk of coronary heart disease is now similar to that of people who have never smoked. The risk of death returns to nearly the level of people who have never smoked.

For more information, or to find out about MedCentral's smoking cessation classes, contact Registered Respiratory Therapist Kathy Johnson at kjohnson@medcentral.org; or 419-526-8455.

How do I stop smoking?

Last updated January 21, 2005