Quit Smoking Now

On the eve of my one year anniversary, a short list of the changes that start taking place immediately upon quitting!

When smokers quit -- What are the benefits over time?

• 20 minutes after quitting: Your heart rate and blood pressure drops.

• 12 hours after quitting: The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal.

• 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting: Your circulation improves and your lung function increases.

• 1 to 9 months after quitting: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease; cilia (tiny hair-like structures that move mucus out of the lungs) regain normal function in the lungs, increasing the ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce the risk of infection.

• 1 year after quitting: The excess 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 non-smoker 5 to 15 years after quitting.

• 10 years after quitting: The lung cancer death rate is about half that of a continuing smoker's. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, cervix, and pancreas decrease, too.

• 15 years after quitting: The risk of coronary heart disease is the same as a non-smoker's.