If you quit smoking right now, this tool shows how your body begins to heal immediately. (View the text-only version)
6:41 PM (in 20 minutes): Your heart rate drops.
6:21 AM (in 12 hours): The carbon monoxide (a gas that can be toxic) in your blood drops to normal.
May. 20, 2009- Aug. 6, 2009 (in 2 weeks to 3 months): Your heart attack risk begins to drop and your lungs are working better.
Jun. 6, 2009- Feb. 6, 2010 (in 1 to 9 months): Your coughing and shortness of breath decrease and your lungs start to function better, lowering your risk of lung infection.
May. 6, 2010 (in 1 year): Your risk for heart disease is half that of a smoker's.
May. 6, 2014 (in 5 years): Your risk of having a stroke is the same as someone who doesn't smoke.
May. 6, 2019 (in 10 years): Your risk of dying from lung cancer is half that of a smoker's. Your risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas also decreases.
May. 6, 2024 (in 15 years): Your risk of heart disease is now the same as someone who doesn't smoke.