When you stop smoking, your body undergoes a series of changes as it begins to repair itself from the effects of nicotine and other harmful substances found in cigarettes. Here’s a timeline of what typically happens in your body when you quit smoking:
Within 20 Minutes:
- Heart Rate and Blood Pressure: Your heart rate and blood pressure drop back to normal levels, reducing strain on your cardiovascular system.
After 12 Hours:
- Carbon Monoxide Levels: Carbon monoxide, a harmful gas in cigarette smoke, begins to clear from your bloodstream. Oxygen levels in your blood increase, making it easier for your body to function properly.
After 24 Hours:
- Heart Attack Risk: Your risk of heart attack begins to decrease as your cardiovascular system starts to recover.
Within 48 Hours:
- Nerve Endings and Senses: Damaged nerve endings start to regrow, and you may notice an improvement in your sense of taste and smell.
- Nicotine Levels: The remaining nicotine in your body is eliminated.
After 72 Hours:
- Lung Function: Bronchial tubes relax, making it easier to breathe, and lung capacity increases.
- Nicotine Withdrawal: Physical withdrawal symptoms peak around this time, which may include irritability, headaches, and cravings. These symptoms will gradually lessen.
Within 2 Weeks to 3 Months:
- Circulation and Lung Function: Blood circulation improves, and lung function increases by up to 30%. You might find activities like walking and exercise become easier.
After 1 to 9 Months:
- Coughing and Shortness of Breath: Cilia (tiny hair-like structures in the lungs) regain normal function, helping to clear mucus and reduce coughing and shortness of breath.
- Respiratory Health: You experience fewer lung infections as your lungs become healthier and more resilient.
After 1 Year:
- Heart Disease Risk: Your risk of coronary heart disease is about half that of a smoker, significantly reducing your risk of a heart attack.
After 5 Years:
- Stroke Risk: Your risk of stroke can fall to the same level as a non-smoker’s, depending on how much you smoked.
After 10 Years:
- Lung Cancer Risk: Your risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of someone who still smokes. Your risk of developing other cancers, like those of the mouth, throat, and pancreas, also decreases.
After 15 Years:
- Heart Disease and Cancer Risk: Your risk of coronary heart disease and many cancers is similar to that of someone who has never smoked.
Stopping smoking brings immediate benefits to your body and long-term health improvements. The journey might be challenging due to withdrawal symptoms, but the benefits are substantial and continue to grow the longer you stay smoke-free.
