How quitting can help

Within minutes of smoking the last cigarette, the body begins a series of changes that continues for years.

After 20 minutes

• Blood pressure drops to normal
• Pulse rates drops to normal
• Body temperature of hands and feet increases to normal

After eight hours

• Carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal
• Oxygen level in blood increases to normal

After 24 hours

• Chance of heart attack decreases

After 48 hours

• Nerve endings start regrowing

After two weeks to three months

• Circulation improves
• Walking becomes easier
• Lung function increases

After one to nine months

• Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, shortness of breath decrease
• Cilia regrow in lungs.
• Body's overall energy increases

After one year

• Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker

After five years

• Lung cancer death rate for average former smoker (one pack a day) decreases by almost half
• Stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker after five to 15 years.
• Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus is cut in half

After 10 years

• Lung cancer death rate similar to that of nonsmokers
• Precancerous cells are replaced

After 15 years

• Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a nonsmoker

Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention