If you can make it to 28 days smoke-free, you’re five times more likely to quit for good. What happens when you quit?
The sooner you quit, the sooner you’ll notice changes to your body and health. Look at what happens when you quit for good.
- After 20 minutes – check your pulse rate, it will already be starting to return to normal
- After 8 hours your oxygen levels are recovering, and the harmful carbon monoxide level in your blood will have reduced by half
- After 48 hours – all carbon monoxide is flushed out. Your lungs are clearing out mucus and your senses of taste and smell are improving.
- After 72 hours – if you notice that breathing feels easier, it’s because your bronchial tubes have started to relax. Also, your energy will be increasing.
- After 2 to 12 weeks – blood will be pumping through to your heart and muscles much better because your circulation will have improved.
- After 3 to 9 months – any coughs, wheezing or breathing problems will be improving as your lung function increases by up to 10%.
- After 1 year – great news. Your risk of heart attack will have halved compared with a smoker’s.
- After 10 years – more great news. Your risk of death from lung cancer will have halved compared with a smoker’s.
To download the free NHS stop smoking app or to find out further ways to quit visit: Quit smoking this Stoptober – Better Health – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
Stopober.
