Day 7 - The Benefits Timeline

I am closing in on 1 week tobacco-free. Today's post will focus on the long-term benefits of remaining that way. The following are the short and long term effects of quitting smoking and have not been evaluated as far as e-cigs are concerned. But, the vital signs that I can monitor have all followed this timeline more or less:



20 Minutes
Blood pressure drops to normal
Pulse rate drops to normal
Body temperature of hands and feet increases to normal
8 Hours
Carbon monoxide level in the blood drops to normal
Oxygen level in the blood increases to normal
24 Hours
Chance of heart attack decreases
48 Hours
Nerve endings start regrowing
Ability to smell and taste is enhanced
2 Weeks to 3 Months
Circulation improves
Walking becomes easier
Lung function increases up to 30 percent
1 To 9 Months
Coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue and shortness of breath decrease
Cilia regrow in the lungs, increasing the lungs ability to handle mucus, clean themselves and reduce infection
Overall energy increases
1 Year
Excess risk of coronary heart disease is half that of a smoker
5 Years
Lung cancer death rate decreases by almost half
Stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-smoker five to fifteen years after quitting
Risk of oral cancers is half that of a smoker
10 Years
Lung cancer death rate is similar to that of a non-smoker
Pre-cancerous cells have been replaced
Risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, cervix and pancreas decreases
15 Years
Risk of coronary heart disease is that of a non-smoker

Tomorrow:
*Results from a survey that I have been conducting with current e-cig users.

*Some gift ideas for Valentine's Day


Until then, Good luck and good health!