Time stopped
|
Low risk |
High risk |
|
20 minutes |
20 minutes |
Blood pressure drops to normal.
Pulse rate drops to normal.
Temperature of hands and feet return to normal.
|
8 hours |
8 hours |
Carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal.
Oxygen level in blood increases to normal.
|
24 hours |
24 hours |
Chance of heart attack decreased.
|
48 hours |
48 hours |
Nerve endings start to re-grow.
Smell and taste improved.
|
2 weeks |
3 months |
Circulation improves.
Exercise, including walking, becomes easier.
Lung function increased by up to one third.
|
1 month |
9 months |
Cilia re-grow in lungs and airways, increasing lung’s self maintenance.
Energy levels increase overall.
Coughing, sinus problems, tiredness, shortness of breath, all decrease.
|
1 year |
1-1.5 years |
Excess risk of heart disease is halved.
Recovery rate from heart/bypass surgery almost doubled.
|
2.5 years |
5 years |
Lung cancer death rate for average former smoker almost halved.
|
5 years |
10 years |
Risk of stroke similar to non-smoker.
|
10 years |
10 years |
Lung cancer death rate the same as for non-smokers.
Pre-cancerous cells have been replaced.
Risk of cancer of mouth, throat, bladder, kidneys, and pancreas decreases.
|
10 years |
15 years |
Risk of heart disease is that of a non-smoker. |