I Can Quit!

I came across the following about how your body starts repairing itself after you quit smoking and thought I’d share it:

What happens after you quit smoking?

20 MINUTES

·        Blood pressure drops to normal

·        Pulse rate drop to normal

·        Body temperature of hands and feet increase to normal

8 HOURS

·        Carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal

·        Oxygen level in blood increases to normal

24 HOURS

·        Chance of 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

·        Lung function increases up to 30 percent

1 TO 9 MONTHS

·        Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease

·        Cilia re-grow in lungs, increasing their ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce infection

·        Body’s overall energy increases

1 YEAR

·        Excess risk of coronary heart disease if half that of a smoker

5 YEARS

·        Lung-cancer death rate for average former smoker (1 pack a day) decreases by almost half

·        Stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker 5 to 15 years after quitting

·        Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, and esophagus is half that of a smoker’s

10 YEARS

·        Lung cancer death rate is similar to that of a non-smoker

·        Precancerous cells are replaced

·        Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, cervix, and pancreas decreases

15 YEARS

·        Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker