TIME AFTER QUIT SMOKING	DESCRIPTIONS
20 minutes	Your blood pressure drops to normal. Your pulse rate drops to normal. Your body temperature of hands and feet increases to normal.
8 hours	The carbon monoxide level in your blood drops to normal. The oxygen level in your blood increases to normal.
24 hours	The chance of a heart attack decreases.
48 hours	The nerve endings start regrowing. Your ability to smell and taste is enhanced.
2 weeks to 3 months	Your circulation improves. Walking becomes easier for you. Your lung function increases up to 30 percent.
2 weeks to 3 months	Your circulation improves. Walking becomes easier for you. Your lung function increases up to 30 percent.
1 to 9 months	The coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease. Cilia regrows in your lungs, increasing ability to handle mucus, clean the lungs, and reduce infection. Your body's overall energy increases.
1 year	The excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker.
5 years	The lung-cancer death rate for an average former smoker (one pack a day) decreases by almost half. Stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker 5-15 years after quitting. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat and esophagus is half that of a smoker's.
10 years	The lung-cancer death rate is similar to that of a non-smokers. The pre-cancerous cells are replaced. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney and pancreas decreases.
15 years	The risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker.