Smoking has detrimental causes to a person’s short and long term health. Tobacco smoke can cause harm to almost any part of the body, inside and out. Research demonstrates the benefits of quitting smoking set in mere minutes after the last cigarette is smoked. Find out how quickly the body restores itself after smoking and what other benefits come along with kicking the habit.
20 Minutes After Cigarette
Smoke and nicotine enter the bloodstream and boost blood pressure and heart rate. After finishing the last cigarette, within 20 minutes the heart rate and blood pressure return to normal.
8 Hours
Toxic gas, or carbon monoxide, seeps from defective appliances and is one of 4,000 chemicals a person inhales when tobacco is smoked. After eight hours following the last cigarette, oxygen levels in the body begin to return to normal.
24 Hours
Smoking can cause mucus and other unhealthy debris to build up in the lungs. It takes approximately one day after the last cigarette for the lungs to begin clearing out.
48 Hours
Nicotine is the main active ingredient in tobacco and is the primary reason cigarettes are so addictive. The senses may become duller, affecting one’s ability to smell or taste with sharpness and clarity. Within two days of quitting smoking, a person’s body will expel nicotine from the body and the senses will begin to heighten once again.
Two to 12 Weeks
Physical activity is very difficult while smoking as it affects blood circulation and may cause long-term damage to a person’s overall health. Within just a few weeks, an individual may be able to run a few miles, walk up stairs or do other activities with ease that were not possible before.
Three to 9 Months
The body will work hard to repair damage done from smoking, including the lungs. Approximately three to nine months after quitting, the smoker’s cough will cease and breathing will become much easier.
One Year Later
Smoking can damage the lining of the arteries and create a build up of a fatty substance known as atheroma, which narrows the arteries. This can lead to heart attacks, strokes and angina. The risk of heart disease decreases to half that of a smoker within a year of quitting.
Various cancers and other diseases have been linked to smoking. Lethal, toxic chemicals are present in cigarettes which are poisonous. Quitting smoking may not only add years to a person’s life but also support an individual with life-saving benefits and a better quality of life.
If you are looking for help to kick the nicotine habit for good, The Villa can provide you with resources and tools to support your journey back to health. Call us to find out how we can help you quit smoking for good.
