The Health Advantages From Quitting Smoking

Quitting smoking takes planning and discipline but the health, social and financial benefits make it worthwhile. Smokers are at an increased risk for stroke, heart attack and many types of cancers. Smokers have a higher rate of tooth and gum disease, lung disease, wrinkles and infertility. Many of those risk factors drop dramatically soon after quitting smoking.

Short-Term Benefits

• Quitting smoking lowers blood pressure.

  Within the first day of quitting smoking, blood pressure and heart rate begin to drop. Circulation also improves in the hands and feet within two hours of stopping smoking. Oxygen levels increase and the risk of heart attack falls 12 to 24 hours after quitting. After 48 hours, the body is free of nicotine and senses of taste and smell return to normal.

Health Improvements Grow

• Improved lung function makes exercise easier.

  The longer you are a nonsmoker, the more your body benefits. Over the first few weeks, the lungs continue to heal, which results in less sinus congestion, less fatigue and reduced incidence of coughing. During this period, physical activity becomes easier and energy levels increases.

The First Five Years

• After one year, the risk of heart disease is reduced by 50 percent.

  After one year, the risk of coronary heart disease is cut in half. After five years, the risk of a stroke is comparable to that of a nonsmoker.

Long-Term Benefits

• Quitting smoking increases life expectancy.

  After 10 years, the risk of lung cancer death is roughly half that of a smoker's risk. The possibility of other cancers, including mouth, throat, pancreas, bladder and kidney cancers, continues to decrease. After 15 years, the risk of heart attack equals that of a nonsmoker and overall life expectancy has risen. The American Heart Association notes that nonsmokers live, on average, 14 years longer than smokers.