Effects of smoking: what happens when you quit?

Every year, many people make resolutions to quit smoking for good. Quitting smoking is not only important for your heart and lungs, but it also has a significant impact on your overall health. In this article, we will explore the effects of smoking on your health and what happens to your body when you decide to quit smoking.

20 Minutes After Quitting

Only 20 minutes after quitting smoking, your heart rate and blood pressure start to drop closer to normal levels. Smoking damages the insides of blood vessels and reduces the amount of oxygen your heart receives, causing it to beat faster. By quitting smoking, your body starts to repair itself.

2 Hours After Quitting

Within two hours of smoking your last cigarette, your peripheral circulation begins to improve. Peripheral veins and arteries, which supply oxygen to your arms, hands, legs, and feet, start to function better. As your body eliminates the chemicals from cigarettes, you may notice that your hands and feet feel warmer.

12 Hours After Quitting

Around 12 hours after quitting smoking, the levels of carbon monoxide in your blood drop back to normal. Carbon monoxide replaces oxygen in the blood cells, depriving your heart of the oxygen it needs. Once carbon monoxide is eliminated, your body receives more oxygen.

24 Hours After Quitting

After one day, your risk of heart attack starts to decrease. Smokers have a 70% higher chance of having a heart attack due to the cardiovascular dangers associated with smoking. Smoking also increases the risk of blood clots, another major issue related to heart attacks.

3 Days After Quitting

By day three, there is no more nicotine in your body. Each time you smoke, your body craves more nicotine, leading to addiction. When you quit smoking, you break this cycle.

2 Weeks After Quitting

Two weeks after quitting smoking, your circulation and lung function improve. Cigarette smoke damages your blood vessels, but as time progresses, they begin to repair themselves. Even within a short period of time, like 14 days, your body becomes healthier.

1 to 9 Weeks After Quitting

Around one to nine weeks after quitting, the negative effects typically associated with smoking, such as coughing and shortness of breath, become less pronounced. Physical activity becomes easier, and withdrawal symptoms start to decrease.

1 to 9 Months After Quitting

One to nine months after quitting, your lungs start to repair themselves. Even the smallest functions within the lungs begin to work properly, and instances of shortness of breath and coughing decrease even further.

1 Year After Quitting

About one year after quitting, the risk of developing coronary heart disease is only half as high as that of smokers. Smoking is a direct cause of 1 in 5 heart disease deaths. The risk of developing heart disease is two to four times more likely in smokers, but this risk decreases by half when you quit smoking.

2 to 5 Years After Quitting

Between two and five years after quitting, the risk of developing mouth, throat, esophagus, and bladder cancers is reduced by half. Women's risk of cervical cancer is also decreased.

5 Years After Quitting

After five years, your risk of having a stroke drops to the same levels as nonsmokers. Smoking accelerates the development of blood clots, which are a major factor in strokes. Quitting smoking alleviates this stressor.

10 Years After Quitting

Within 10 years after quitting smoking, your risk of dying from cancer is now half that of smokers.

15 Years After Quitting

Starting 15 years after quitting, your risk for heart disease is the same as if you had never smoked.

20 Years After Quitting

After 20 years, it is estimated that you have saved over $71,000 by not buying cigarettes.

Life After Quitting

Congratulations! By quitting smoking, you have added several years to your life. All the risk factors associated with smoking have been decreased or eliminated.

Join everyone during the Great American Smokeout and quit smoking today. It is crucial for your health and the well-being of your loved ones. Take a step towards protecting yourself by having your heart and lungs screened at UnityPoint Health - Fort Dodge and sign up for the next smoking cessation class offered this January.

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