St. Helena Hospital | Napa Valley | Live Younger Longer | Summer 2014 - page 18

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L i v e Yo u n g e r L o n g e r
Quitting smoking isn’t easy
2
WEEKS
TO
3
MONTHS
AFTER
QUITTING
1
TO
9
MONTHS
AFTER
QUITTING
5
YEARS AFTER
QUITTING
10
YEARS AFTER
QUITTING
15
YEARS AFTER
QUITTING
12
HOURS AFTER
QUITTING
20
MINUTES AFTER
QUITTING
But once you do, the positive effects on your body start
almost immediately and continue for many years.
Your circulation improves, and your lung function increases.
Your coughing and shortness of breath decrease. Your
lungs start to regain their ability to handle mucus, to
clean themselves and to fight infection.
Your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus and
bladder are cut in half. Your risk of having a stroke is
now the same as someone who has never smoked.
Your risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that
of someone who still smokes. Your risk of developing
cancer of the larynx (voice box) and pancreas decreases.
Your risk of coronary heart disease is now the same as
someone who has never smoked.
The carbon monoxide level in your blood returns to normal.
Your heart rate and blood pressure drop.
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