If you are a smoker and have been diagnosed with diabetes or hypertension, giving up the habit is one of the most positive things you can do to both improve your health and reduce your risks of cardiovascular disease, such as a heart attack, stroke or circulatory problems in the legs (which are associated with diabetes and hypertension).
Health benefits begin in as little as 20 minutes after the last cigarette and continue to improve.
After 20 minutes – Pulse rate returns to normal.
After 8 hours – Nicotine and carbon monoxide levels in blood reduce by more than half and oxygen levels return to normal.
After 48 hours – Carbon monoxide will be eliminated from the body. Lungs start to clear out mucus and other smoking debris.
After 48 hours – There is no nicotine in the body. Ability to taste and smell is improved.
After 72 hours – Breathing becomes easier. Bronchial tubes begin to relax and energy levels increase.
After 2-12 weeks – Your circulation improves.
After 3-9 months – Coughs, wheezing and breathing problems improve as lung function increases by up to 10%.
After 1 year – Risk of heart disease is about half compared with a person who is still smoking.
After 10 years – Risk of lung cancer falls to half that of a smoker.
After 15 years – Risk of heart attack falls to the same as someone who has never smoked.
Your sense of taste will return and you will enjoy food more.
Your breathing and general fitness will improve.
You will be more confident in social situations because you won’t smell of stale smoke any more.