Are you a smoker? If so, you’re no doubt aware that there are dangers that you expose yourself and your body to by picking up and lighting those darned cigarettes you keep buying. But it can be difficult to stop, we know. And when the goal is so vague (“you’ll be a bit healthier!”), it’s easy to forget about it and keep on smoking. So let’s look at exactly how your body gets better after you quit…
Here’s the timeline of exactly what happens when you ditch the cancer sticks:
- 20 minutes after your final cigarette, your blood pressure and pulse will ease and lower and return back to normal.
- After 12 hours off the tabs, the carbon monoxide levels in your bloodstream will lower significantly and return back to normal. Blood oxygen begins to increase. You’ll begin to feel much more alert and sleep noticeably better.
- After a full day, your risk of heart attack drops hugely.
- After two days, your sense of smell and taste will come back and your nerve endings begin to regenerate.
And after a decent amount of time without a cigarette:
- After about 3 months, your blood circulation will start to improve. You’ll find that walking will become a damn sight easier (along with all sorts of other physical exercise and exertion). Plus your lung function will be greatly improved.
- After 1 year, the risk of coronary heart disease is half of what it was when you smoked.
- After 5-15 years, the risk of stroke returns to normal, almost as if you never smoked in your life!
- At the 10 years, your chance of developing smoking-related cancers is about the same as a non-smoker. Your diet and cigarettes contribute to well over 50% of all reported cancers.
- After 15 years your chance of heart disease and heart attacks are now like that of a non smoker. Your risk of death has dropped to that of a non smoker too. Brilliant!
Oh, and you’ll save heaps of cash, smell better, cough less and be more attractive to prospective partners. So put out that cigarette and extend and improve your life!
