The Importance of Not Giving Up On Giving Up

Published at 24 October, 2022.

Do you know what happens to your body when you stop smoking from 20 minutes after quitting to 15 years?

What happens after 20 minutes of your last cigarette?

Your heart rate drops. Cigarettes raise your blood pressure and increase your heart rate. Your heart rate will begin to drop to normal levels within 20 minutes of your last cigarette.

What happens 8 to 12 hours after quitting?

Your blood carbon monoxide level drops. Carbon monoxide is the same dangerous fume that comes from car exhaust. It causes your heart rate to increase and causes shortness of breath. Within 8 to 12 hours, the carbon monoxide level in your blood drops, and your blood oxygen increases.

What happens 48 hours after quitting?

Your ability to smell and taste improves. The nerve endings damaged by smoking begin to regrow, improving your sense of smell and taste.

What happens 2 weeks to 3 months after quitting?

Your risk of heart attack drops. Improved circulation, lower blood pressure and heart rate, and better oxygen levels and lung function all reduce your risk of a heart attack.

What happens 1 to 9 months after quitting?

You’ll feel less short of breath and cough less. Coughing, shortness of breath, and sinus congestion will decrease. You’ll feel more energetic overall.

What happens 1 year after quitting?

Your risk of heart disease will be cut in half. Smoking significantly increases your risk of heart disease.

What happens 5 years after quitting?

Your risk of stroke decreases. Depending on how much and how long you smoked and your overall health, your risk of stroke will be the same as someone who’s never smoked within 5 to 15 years of quitting.

What happens 10 years after quitting?

Your risk of lung cancer drops to that of someone who’s never smoked. Your risk of dying from lung cancer will be that of a person who’s never smoked. Your risk of developing other cancers decreases significantly.

What happens 15 years after quitting?

Your risk of heart disease is the same as someone who’s never smoked. After you quit, you’ll have lower cholesterol, thinner blood and lower blood pressure.

All of these are great benefits of stopping smoking, whether you decide today or next week. Our advisors will be able to help you with every step of the journey.