Recovery Timetable (2)

Quitting Health Benefits Time Table Started by: Zep - Gold Sent: 3/21/2001 2:49 PM Health Benefits of Quitting Smoking 20 MINUTES Blood pressure, pulse rate, and body temperature of hands and feet return to normal.8 HOURS Oxygen and Carbon monoxide level in blood return to normal. 24 HOURS Chance of heart attack decreases. 48 HOURS Nerve endings start regrowing and the ability to smell and taste is enhanced. 72 HOURS The entire body becomes 100% nicotine free and withdrawal symptoms peak in intensity.10 DAYS TO 2 WEEKS The body fully adjusts to the absence of nicotine and physical withdrawal ends.3 WEEKS TO 3 MONTHS Circulation improves,smoking cessation, walking becomes easier,quit smoking, and lung function increases by almost 1/3rd.Psychological crave trigger reconditioning continues and the first day of full comfort arrives.1 TO 9 MONTHS Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath decrease. Cilia regrow in lungs, increasing ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce infection. Body's overall energy increases. 1 YEAR Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker. 5 YEARS Lung cancer death rate for average smoker (one pack a day) decreases by almost half. Stroke risk is reduced to that of a nonsmoker 5-15 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 similar to that of nonsmokers. Precancerous cells are replaced. Risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases. 15 YEARS Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a person who has never smoked. Overall risk of death returns nearly to that of a person who never smoked.