According to medical experts, the benefits of stopping smoking begin nearly immediately, and don’t stop for over a decade! If you’re craving a smoke right now, take a deep breath and keep reading, instead.
• Within 20 minutes, your blood pressure decreases, your pulse drops to normal, and your circulation improves. In other words, your craving will mellow out. If you just had a ciggie, your body will try to start healing itself right away.
• Within 8 hours, the oxygen levels in your blood go up to normal and the carbon dioxide drops to normal.
• Within just 24 hours of your last smoke, you decrease your chance of a heart attack.
• After a few weeks, your circulation and lung function improve. No more wheezing!
• Within a few months, the hacking, fatigue, and huffing and puffing have decreased.
• Within a year, the risk of coronary heart disease is reduced by half.
• After five to ten years, your risk of stroke is the same as someone who never smoked!
• After ten years, your risk of lung cancer is cut in half.
• After fifteen years, your risk of heart disease or death from smoking is the same as someone who never smoked.
I know it’s hard. I know. But I know it’s worth quitting!
For info on quitting, contact your local Red Cross, the American Cancer Society, the American Heart and Lung Association, or your physician.
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