When will your health risks go back to normal after quitting smoking?

 

20 minutes after quitting: Heart rate and blood pressure start to drop.

12 hours: Carbon monoxide levels in the blood return to normal.

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2 weeks to 3 months: Circulation improves, lung function starts to increase, and physical activity feels easier.

1 year: Risk of coronary heart disease is cut in half compared to a smoker.

5 years: Risk of stroke falls to that of a nonsmoker (anywhere between 2–5 years depending on overall health).

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10 years: Risk of dying from lung cancer drops to about half that of someone who still smokes. Risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, bladder, and pancreas also decreases.

15 years: Risk of coronary heart disease is about the same as someone who never smoked.

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