How Long Does It Take The Body To Heal After Quitting Smoking?

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We know that cigarette smoking is one of the leading causes of mortality in the world; surprisingly, it is estimated to cause over seven million deaths worldwide each year. The habit is also estimated to be responsible for >10% of all cardiovascular deaths worldwide. Dr Pujan Parikh, Consultant Pulmonary Medicine, Sir HN Reliance Foundation Hospital, says, “The most important causes of smoking-related mortality are atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (heart attack, high blood pressure, etc.), cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and stroke.” 

Speaking of the benefits of smoking cessation, Dr Pujan says that while the extent partly depends on the intensity and duration of prior tobacco smoke exposure, giving up on the habit for good at any age is associated with substantial health benefits. Interestingly, stopping smoking before age 40 is associated with a larger decline in premature mortality than stopping at a later age. 

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Dr Pujan shares some statistics related to the positive changes that take place in the body when a person stops smoking: 

• 20 minutes after smoking cessation, heart rate drops and returns to normal. Blood pressure also start declining. 
• After just 12 hours without a cigarette, carbon monoxide level returns to normal. 
• Just one day after quitting smoking, the risk of heart attack begins to decrease. 

• Within two weeks to three months after smoking cessation, blood circulation and lung function improves. 
• A person’s risk for coronary heart disease decreases by 50% at the end of one year post smoking cessation. 

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• 5-10 years after smoking cessation, risk of oral cancer reduces by half. After 10 years, risk of lung cancer reduces by half and that of pancreatic, bladder, and oesophageal cancer also reduces. 

• Smoking accelerates bone loss and is a risk factor for hip fracture. Quitting smoking decreases the excess risk of hip fracture in 10 years. 
• At the end of 15 years of smoking cessation, risk of heart disease is equivalent of a non-smoker. 
• After 20 years, the risk of death from smoking-related causes, including both lung disease and cancer, drops to the level of a person who has never smoked in their life. 

And that’s why, it’s never too late to stop smoking! 

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